Political journey of Nehal Hashmi |
MAMNOON Hussain had barely settled into his office after taking oath as the Governor of Sindh when a thought crossed my mind: how wonderful it would be if I could secure his first interview. The idea had just taken shape when my phone rang. A familiar, warm laugh echoed from the other side: “Is everything alright, Farooq bhai?”
It was Nehal Hashmi. Our exchanges had always been marked by such ease. I replied in my usual manner, “All is well.” He told me he was at the Governor House and asked me to come over. I do not recall exactly where he was seated, but I do remember that as we were speaking, an ADC passed by. Nehal introduced me as a journalist there to interview the Governor. The ADC replied, in the typical official tone, that I did not have an appointment. Nehal calmly insisted, “He may not have an appointment, but he is here.”
The young officer, dressed in a crisp white uniform, went to seek permission and soon returned to escort us to the Governor’s chamber. As we walked, I asked Nehal what had prompted this. Smiling, he said that when he came to congratulate the Governor, he thought of me and called. I thanked him and told him that at the very moment his call came, I had been wishing for exactly such an opportunity.
“Hearts find their way to each other,” he whispered as we entered. My wish was fulfilled. Years later, Nehal Hashmi himself would sit in that very chamber as Governor, and I would recall this moment with quiet satisfaction. My association with him, however, had not begun so pleasantly. I once published a report about irregularities in an NGO working in Thar. The report caused a stir and brought me a legal notice demanding heavy damages. The lawyer who sent it was Nehal Hashmi.
Those were not easy days for reporting. Even experienced journalists worried about their credibility. I was concerned when I met my friend Asghar Umar, then an emerging name in court reporting. He reassured me that the matter would soon be resolved. Not long after, we were sitting in a modest office on Shahrah-e-Faisal, having tea with Nehal Hashmi. Asghar Umar casually asked about the notice. Nehal replied lightly, “Which notice? Let bygones be bygones.” And just like that, the matter ended. What I had imagined as a prolonged legal battle dissolved over a cup of tea. While Asghar Umar’s mediation mattered, it was Nehal Hashmi’s generosity and large-heartedness that truly stood out. The episode taught me an important lesson: human beings are never one-dimensional.
Nehal Hashmi combined political commitment with social openness. While he was a worker of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), he also collaborated in welfare efforts beyond ideological boundaries. Such breadth was rare in Karachi at the time, when a more rigid political culture prevailed. I have observed his political journey closely. He joined PML-N when Altaf Hussain dominated Karachi’s politics. Many either aligned with him or withdrew from the field. Nehal chose a different path and remained steadfast. His defining quality has been loyalty. Through political ups and downs, especially during the turbulent years from 2014 to 2018, he stood firmly with his leadership, sacrificing his Senate seat and enduring imprisonment.
It is this loyalty that earned him recognition from Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. His appointment as Governor challenges the notion that high office is reserved only for the elite. It also weakens the perception that such hierarchies are particularly entrenched within PML-N. His elevation offers an opportunity for the revival of PML-N in Sindh. For years, party workers there have felt neglected, leading to a gradual decline in influence. Yet committed figures like Shah Muhammad Shah and Ali Akbar Gujjar continued their efforts. Others, like Khawaja Tariq Nazir, have stepped back after long service, while some have grown silent.
In this context, Nehal Hashmi’s appointment is encouraging. The party leadership would do well to entrust sincere workers with responsibilities at both provincial and central levels. This could help restore organizational strength in Sindh. A final suggestion for the Governor: the late Mamnoon Hussain took special interest in supporting Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu and preserving its institutional role. Nehal Hashmi should carry forward this legacy and continue to patronize institutions serving the national language. That, for me, remains the most meaningful expectation.
—This writer is former advisor to the President of Pakistan, author & mass media theorist.
(farooq.adilbhuta@gmail,com)