LAHORE – Following the announcement by Makhdoom Javed Hashmi to join the PTI, PML(N) President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appeared pensive at the UET function here Saturday. Flanked by main figures of the party, Nawaz Sharif appeared tense as the same time Javed Hashmi was addressing a press conference with PTI Chief Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and others in Karachi wherein he announced to join Pakistan Tehrik –e-Insaaf (PTI).
Hashmi and Nawaz Sharif had a deep and long political and personal association which remained all weathers and met every difficult situation since 1985. Nawaz Sharif trusted Javed Hashmi so much so that on the eve of leaving for Saudi Arabia on December 10, 2000 during Musharraf regime, he entrusted all PML(N) affairs to Hashmi, who also discharged his responsibilities with care and loyalty.
However since return of the Sharifs in November 2007, Hashmi had differed on certain decisions of party leadership which led him to part ways and join the PTI.
At the function, Nawaz Sharif remained somewhat somber and quiet. At one point during the proceedings, Nawaz Sharif got tears in his eyes when a minor aged around seven, moved everyone in the auditorium through his speech wherein he depicted plight of the masses exposed to daily killings, poverty, terrorism, and economic wretchedness.
Nawaz Sharif called the kid to himself and kissed and hugged him. Other leaders of the PML(N) on the occasion also appeared low key and quiet in mood.