Sheikh Rashid Ahmad

Infobox Politician
name = Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad


imagesize = 200px
birth_date = November 6, 1950
birth_place = Rawalpindi Punjab

flagicon|PAK Pakistan
party = Awami Muslim League(AML)
citizenship = Pakistani
religion = Sunni Islam

Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad (Urdu: شيخ رشيد احمد) (born November 6 1950) is a Pakistani politician and writer. He served as the Federal Minister for Railways in Pakistan from 2006 to 2008. His previous portfolio have included appointments as Federal Minister for Labor and Manpower, Information and Broadcasting, Industries, Sports Culture, and Tourism and Investment.

Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed was born in Rawalpindi.Fact|date=August 2008 He studied at Rawalpindi Polytechnic College and later at Gordon College. He completed his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Lahore. Throughout his education, Shaikh Rasheed was very active in student politics.

He was first elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in 1985, and was re-elected a record six times.

He used to be the right-hand man of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif but left Nawaz League and joined the newly formed Muslim League to get into ministership again. He is hugely popular in Rawalpindi and is known for creating a large number of schools in that city. He is famous for his 'awami style' (public style) of politics. He is one of few politicians who started their political career at grass roots level and rose to prominence. He is the author of "Farzand-e-Pakistan", and is currently working on another book, "Sub Achha Hai".Fact|date=February 2008

Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed was appointed Federal Minister for Railways in May 2006 and served in that capacity until 2008.

He lives in Lal Haveli in the heart of Rawalpindi. Lal Haveli has become a tourist destination due to its beautiful, ancient architecture. He has been organizing a big public meeting on the eve of 14th of August (independence day of Pakistan) at his residence Lal Haveli and the firework show is extremely popular among the people of the city and hundreds of thousands people turn to watch this show every year.

He also ran a jihadi training camp in the late 1980s. [B. Raman, [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GF22Df02.html "Osama: 'Got him! (sort of)'"] , "Asia Times Online", June 22, 2005.] This is stark contrast to his contemporary politics as a staunch supporter of "enlightened moderation".

Rasheed Ahmad has his roots in Srinagar--capital of Indian administered Kashmir and is known for his support to the anti-India uprising in Jammu and Kashmir. He shot into prominence when Indian Government denied him permission to visit New Delhi in 2004 fall, after a Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik said that Shaikh Rasheed's residence and farm house has been used by militant organisations.

His fiery speeches on Kashmir are widely appreciated in Indian administered Kashmir. Shaikh Rasheed has a dream to visit Srinagar to offer prayers at the graves of his forefathers.

On October 2, 2007, Gen. Pervez Musharraf named Lt. Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, as vice chief of the army starting October 8. If Musharraf wins the presidency and resigns his military post, Kayani will be army chief. Meanwhile, Minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed stated that officials agreed to grant Benazir Bhutto amnesty versus pending corruption charges. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/world/asia/03pakistan.html?hp New York Times, Maneuvering Before Vote in Pakistan] ]

In the February 2008 general elections, Shaikh Rasheed lost both of his Rawalpindi constituencies, NA-55 and NA-56. [Sigamony, Terence J. [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C02%5C20%5Cstory_20-2-2008_pg7_30 PML-N’s win in Pindi surprises PPPP and PML-Q] . "Daily Times", 2008-02-20. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.] After his defeat, there were rumors that Shaikh Rasheed had fled to Spain, [Hussain, Zahid and Ron Moreau. [http://www.newsweek.com/id/113276 The End of Musharraf?] . "Newsweek", 2008-02-19. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.] however, these allegations were later discovered to be false. [ [http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/feb-2008/21/index12.php Defeat due to Raid on Lal Masjid: Rasheed] ] In June 2008, he announced formation of new political party, Awami Muslim League.

See also

* Awami Muslim League

External links

* [http://www.infopak.gov.pk/public/govt/Infominister_profile.htm Profile of the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting] , government website. Accessed 2005-10-21.

References

*Reflist