Mohammad Jamil
Senior politician Javed Hashmi said on Monday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan had told him of his plans to dissolve the parliament during 2014 Islamabad sit-in. He was speaking to media in Multan, where he said that his statements are under oath before the nation. The former PTI leader said that he is not wishful of any rank or position, adding that he always prayed to stay on the path of righteousness. He said: “Imran Khan told me that judges after Tassaduq Gilani would dissolve the parliament’, and then Nawaz Sharif would resign too, Hashmi quoted Imran as saying. He added that the PTI chief said that elections would take place in September 2014 and his party would be able to form government. Imran Khan had avoided comments on his vituperations, but in a media talk in Karachi in January 2017, he declared Javed Hashmi an insane person.
Javed Hashmi has been critical of Imran Khan, and whenever PML-N is in trouble, he comes out and repeats what he has been saying in the past. After leaving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Javed Hashmi while talking to reporters had said: “PTI Chairman Imran Khan had told the top PTI leadership that we cannot move forward without army. They have directed us to align with Dr. Tahirul Qadri.” He had added that the entire core committee of the party was opposed to marching forward and recalled that Sheikh Rashid and another PTI member (Saifullah Niazi) at the eleventh hour whispered into the ear of Mr. Khan, after which it was decided that the marchers should move forward to the PM House and the Parliament. Some politicians and analysts did not agree with the allegations of Javed Hashmi and said he should have raised his voice when he felt army was backing Imran Khan.
Anyhow, he had tried to make a dent in PTI’s popularity, to sabotage the movement and also to bring military and judiciary into disrepute. Many politicians and analysts had criticized Javed Hashmi and dubbed him as a compulsive deserter, who leveled allegations against top leadership of the parties in which he held important positions. He talks about democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law, but he was once part of the cabinet of military dictator (late General Zia-ul-Haq) and was responsible for the repressive policies of the government. On 21st April 2011, when he was leader of PML-N, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi had said he wanted party chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to apologize to nation over their past mistakes. Stung by the pang of conscience on siding with General Ziaul Haq in his government, Hashmi had apologized to the nation.
He had said “I am ashamed of being the part of Ziaul Haq’s cabinet”. He added that Sharifs should follow suit and apologize to the nation for past mistakes. By doing so, he tried to belittle the importance of the PML-N top leadership. Commenting on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, PML-N Javed Hashmi had said, “I think the national history has not witnessed a leader greater than Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto”. But nation still remember that Javed Hashmi was member of the cabinet that was instrumental in sending Z.A. Bhutto to the gallows, what was later called judicial murder. This will suffice about Javed Hashmi’s so-called democratic credentials. After having enjoyed the power and perks during Zia era, he joined the PML under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif to remain in the corridors of power. What it was if not lust for power?
One will have to delve into the recent history to understand how Javed Hashmi has been conducting himself; whether he is an honest man and man of principles or he is just another politician who is adept in changing goalposts and parties. Yousuf Memon Advocate, who was one of the characters in Mehran Bank Scandal had written a lengthy article on 12th April 2012 in the blog namely “The Pakistani Spectator” under the pseudo-name of ‘Amicus’, and provided details which speak volumes about Javed Hashmi’s character, his lust for power and money. He wrote: “By the time Nawaz Sharif assumed power, the First Gulf War was in progress. Mirza Aslam Beg went against the government’s policy and propounded the Doctrine of ‘strategic defiance’ of the United States. His intention was to destabilize Nawaz Sharif. He made a deal with Javed Hashmi to secure support of MNAs for his doctrine of ‘strategic defiance’.”
Yousuf Memon Advocate wrote: “Javed Hashmi received a handsome amount of Rs.14.9 million from Younus Habib through the author and Younus Habib’s brother, and financed purchase of a bungalow in Islamabad. But he spilled the beans before Nawaz Sharif and soon became Minister of State in Nawaz’s Cabinet, that dried up remaining funds committed by General Aslam Beg and Younus Habib.” A press report had claimed that an amount of Rs 14.9 million was handed over to Javed Hashmi in Room No 1, MNA Hostel by Younus Habib’s brother and Mohammad Yousuf Advocate. (Daily The Muslim, Islamabad, April 21, 1994). Javed Hashmi responded to the charge by stating in the National Assembly on April 21, 1994 by concocting the story that he had received some amount as Younus Habib’s share in cotton seed business and a part as donation. (Dawn, April 22, 1994).
