PTI leader Javed Hashmi. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Senior politician and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi on Thursday tendered hi resignation from the membership of National Assembly, DawnNews reported.

Former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, who recently joined Imran Khan’s PTI submitted his written resignation to the Deputy Speaker NA Faisal Karim Kundi after an emotional farewell speech.

Members of the assembly appreciated the senior politician by beating their desks and giving him standing ovation.

Hashmi, during his speech, said that the former president Gen. Zia-ul-Haq offered him the seat of speaker National Assembly but he rejected it.

He said that eighth constitutional amendment by Zia was a conspiracy to make assemblies a ‘slave.’

Hashmi said that it was politicians’ responsibility to strengthen the parliament. “However politicians helped the dictator by passing the eighth amendment bill,” he added.

The former PML-N leader said that he opted not to become member of the cabinet when Nawaz Sharif won the elections by two-third majority in 90’s.

Hashmi said that he became secretary general when Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IGI) was formed by Nawaz Sharif. “We (politicians) did nothing to solve problems of the masses but created even more problems for them,” he added.

He said general public was astonished to see lavish life style of the politicians of a poor country. “People are quickly getting fade up with the assemblies,” he added.

Hashmi further said that he has respect for PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. “Mian sahib came to my home for bringing me into politics,” he added.

He honoured the PML-N chief by saying that he was a superior politician and said that he can not even think of measuring himself up against him.

Furthermore, about his new party chief, he said that the people wanted to see change and if they see Imran Khan bringing about that change then it was their right to vote for him.

“It’s about time to change the way of governance if we want to save the country,” said Hashmi.

He suggested that the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani should resign and hold elections as the constitution allows him to do so. “Members are resigning from assemblies. When will the rulers wake up?....when there’ll be no one left to resign…?” asked Hashmi.

The Opposition Leader in NA and PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and his team was listening Hashmi intently throughout the speech.

Hashmi further said the enemies of the nation will be strengthened if the moral courage of the assembly dies.

His daughter Maimoona Hashmi and former PPP leader Sardar Asif Ali, who recently joined the PTI,  also resigned from the National Assembly on Thursday.