Rashid is one of our few politicians hailing from a middle-class background.
KARACHI: While the domination of politicians from Punjab in the new cabinet has rankled sensitivities, one still has to admit that some of Nawaz Sharif’s choices are laudable. Chief amongst these is the appointment of Senator Pervez Rashid as federal minister for information. Rashid is one of our few politicians hailing from a middle-class background. His public life has been spotless and completely free of any charge of corruption or any other misdemeanour. He has a rock solid record of defending democracy.
Rashid was one of the first people arrested when General (retd) Pervez Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif in October 1999. He was victimised because as chairman PTV, he had telecast the news of General (retd) Musharaf’s dismissal as army chief by Nawaz Sharif but never once did Rashid regret his action. Our political class has often been accused, and rightly so, for meekly surrendering to whoever comes to power even if it is by unconstitutional means. Rashid’s fortitude is a shining exception here.
Osama Mustafa
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2013.
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