Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who was born and brought up in Rawalpindi, went to Christian High School, Rawalpindi for his early education. He then studied at Government Polytechnic Institute and later at Gordon College,
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who was born and brought up in Rawalpindi, went to Christian High School, Rawalpindi for his early education. He then studied at Government Polytechnic Institute and later at Gordon College, Rawalpindi. He completed his Law degree at the University of Lahore.
Throughout his student life, Rashid was very active in politics. In November, 1968 he started movement against President Ayub Khan’s regime. He emerged as a successful student leader and was elected in Student Union as Joint Secretary, Secretary, Vice President and President during four years respectively.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was first elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in 1985 general elections as an independent candidate and joined Pakistan Muslim League. He was subsequently re-elected MNA for six times.
During October 2002 elections he was elected from two seats as an independent candidate but lost one seat where he tried to get his nephew elected in by-elections. He later won the elections from the same constituency in 2013 general elections.
He used to be the right-hand man of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif but later on he joined the newly formed Muslim League, after Mian Nawaz Sharif went into exile with his family. He is popular in Rawalpindi and is known for establishing a large number of schools in that city.
He is famous for his awami style of politics. He is one of few politicians who started their political career at grass roots level and rose to prominence. He has spent overall five years in solitary confinement for the cause of democracy. He was awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment in Kalashnikov case and spent two years in New Central Jail Bahawalpur.
In the February 2008 general elections, Sheikh Rashid lost both of his Rawalpindi constituencies, NA-55 and NA-56. After his defeat, there were rumours that Sheikh Rashid had fled to Spain. However, these allegations were later discovered to be false. In June 2008, he announced formation of new political party, Awami Muslim League.
During his career, He has served as Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower, Information, Industries, Sports, Culture, and Tourism and Investment. He was appointed Federal Minister for Railways in May 2006 and served in that capacity until 2008. His contemporary politics is as a staunch supporter of "enlightened moderation".
On 14th August, 2012 Sheikh Rasheed and Imran Khan decided to take part in elections by seat adjustment with each other. Following a seat adjustment with Imran Khan in Rawalpindi, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad snatched his traditional NA-55 seat from the hands of the PML-N. As a result he was elected to the National Assembly for a record 8th time.
It should be noted that Rawalpindi is seen as the hub of the PML-N party who sweeped the 2013 elections in Punjab. Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed however, bagged 90,000 votes from Rawalpindi while his opponent could only bag around 22,000 votes. This proved the strength of Sheikh Rasheed in his home town and the trust of the people of Rawalpindi on him. Sheikh Rasheed remarked that the people of Rawalpindi had re-vindicated him after failing to elect him in the 2008 elections. Sheikh Rasheed promised to continue the development works in the area he had left behind before 2008.
On February 8, 2010, Sheikh Rashid was injured, and three other people known to be his bodyguards were killed, when gunmen opened fire at his vehicle outside his party’s election office in Rawalpindi.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has his roots in Srinagar capital of the Indian held Kashmir through his father 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, and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee refused to come to Pakistan if Sheikh Rasheed is in the reception team. He admits that he provided shelter and arranged for bread and butter for Kashmiri freedom fighters at his farm house near Fateh Jang road Rawalpindi.
Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik also confirms this use of farm house by militant organizations. He has a dream to visit Srinagar to offer prayers at the graves of his forefathers.
On June 13, 2005 the chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Yasin Malik, stated that Rashid Ahmed had trained about 3,500 Kashmiri jehadis, including Yasin himself at Freedom House. Subsequently he was not allowed by Government of India to visit Kashmir.
On June 27 2012, Rashid Ahmed was detained at Houston airport regarding links with Lashkar-e-Taiba and with Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, an alleged mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attacks. He was released after official protest from Pakistani Ambassador in USA.
He is the author of the book Farzand-e-Pakistan, which was the best seller and 13 editions have been published. Recently he has published another book, Sub Achha Hai.
He is un-married and lives in Lal Haveli in the heart of Rawalpindi. He is known to have been organizing mass gatherings at his residence on the eve of 14th August. He is also a popular guest at various political talk-shows and entertainment programs.
External links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaikh_Rasheed_Ahmad