Daily Times

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s decision to nominate Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed as its candidate for premiership was strongly criticised by twitter users who reminded the PTI leadership that Rasheed represents everything they claim to stand against. Sheikh Rasheed’s nomination by PTI appears to be another disappointing moment for the party’s ideological supporters who were already unhappy with the party forming alliances with controversial elements. The AML chief’s nomination is being questioned for a number of reasons. Some recall how he used derogatory language against former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on the floor of the assembly. Then there are some old video clips of Imran Khan doing rounds on social media where he said that “a shameless man like Sheikh Rasheed” isn’t even worthy of being kept as a peon. Another old video of the two politicians from a talk show is being shared by social media users in which Khan said he prays to God he never becomes a politician like Sheikh Rasheed. In the same video, Sheikh Rasheed also taunts Imran Khan for his lack of electoral strength, referring to PTI as “taanga party”.

Rasheed’s alliance with extremist group Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) which includes controversial clerics like Sami-ul-Haque of the JUI-S who is known as the ‘father of Taliban’ and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed also raises questions. His most recent statement suggesting supporters of former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer’s murderer Mumtaz Qadri are a political force and will vote for him and his allies also sparked outrage on social media.

Author Ghulam Qadir Khan tweeted, “If making Shahbaz PM is ridiculing nation what about supporting Sheikh for PM? Isn’t this ridiculing nation? If this is yr best, forget it.” Another twitter user said, “Sheikh Rasheed lost his security deposit in both NA-55 and NA-56 in 2008. Lost his security deposit to Hanif Abbasi. Joint PM candidate now.”

“Just 1 seat in NA & stil able to get nomination as candidate of PM ship of Pakistan Sheikh Rashid Ahmad deserves an Oscar,” reads a tweet from user Usman Yousaf.

Tanveer Arain? (twitter user) says, “Sheikh Rasheed was the man who looked after the training camps of Kashmiris, now nominated as Prime minister by PTI.”

“When you see the rise of Sheikh Rasheed on tv channels, it’s not a win!” says activist Mona Bilour.

Activist Jibran Nasir said, “Imran Khan was the only politician to openly condemn Qadri when Salman Taseer was killed. There were far better choices within PTI than Sheikh Rasheed.”

“Sh Rasheed as PM’s candidate backed by PTI. Welcome to Naya Pakistan.”, tweeted journalist Abbas Nasir.

Published in Daily Times, July 31^st , 2017.