File photo of AML chief Sheikh Rashid. PHOTO: AGENCIES
The Lal Haveli is in the limelight again, and the evergreen Shaikh Rashid loves every minute of it.
The chief of the Awami Muslim League, who is campaigning for Rawalpindi’s NA-55 seat, is not just going door-to-door but is also addressing around 15 to 20 poll rallies a day. To try and bring over the youth to his side, he is banking on the PTI factor – something he mentions in every public speech.
“The people want change now and therefore my party and PTI are campaigning for the same purpose together,” he said.
While the outcome of the elections is still in doubt, he is sure that they will take place. “No matter how bad the situation gets, elections will be held,” he said with his trademark confidence.
Another thing he is certain about is the Army’s continued role.
“Army is a fact in this country,” he said in his aggressive style. “The army is now with democracy and the democratic set-up, and this is a positive development.”
He remains as blunt as ever. Discussing poll strategy among his supporters at the second floor of the Lal Haveli he said, “People of my constituency (NA-55) will not repeat previous mistakes this time by sending a ‘donkey’ to the assembly.” Still, it is clear that the PML-N’s popularity concerns him, and his speeches are full of attacks against them.
Predicting poll results, Rashid said that no one party can make the government this time, but that it does not mean change will not come.
“Youth will not spare us if we fail to bring change this time,” he said.
In his address at Zia Colony he told voters that he will complete unfinished projects and that he will do his best for the welfare of the people and for the betterment of the area.
“If I do not succeed this time in bringing change then I will never ask for your votes again,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.
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A Muslim villager who was listening Quaid e Azam speech was asked by a foreign journalist that did he under stand speech as Quaid's urdu was not good and that villager was illiterate. He replied the journalist that no he can't understand but i believe what he is saying is truth. The same for Imran Khan, he never fixed match, He is honest, he is not greedy. He may make mistakes but he is genuine leader. He may not win as he is expected but my vote for him.
Why Sheikh Sahib loses again and again from NA-55. He joined hands with PPP and other religious parties but lost. Now joined hands with PTI. Again he will loose. Rawalpindi is the city of PML-N. PTI will also loose due to reputation of Sheikh Sahib, It is a fact which will come true on 11th May. Young generation is with PML-N.
imran could not win the hearts of youth. he is trying to represent youth at the age of 60. strange. my vote for nawaz sharif.
this is no change. shame for imran.
only PML (N) insha Allah. Alliance of PPP and PTI in Punjab will get bitter defeat. PTI joining hands with PPP. What a change!!
Who joined cabinet of Pervez Musharraf? It was Imran Khan. where was imran's ideology at that time. why did he provide support to dictatorship. Doesn't imran know role of sheikh rasheed in Lal Masjid matter. Now he is getting support of sheikh rasheed just to win the seat? where is ideology. where is change. PLEASE THINK
Entire youth of Rawalpindi will vote for PML-N. We cannot vote for immature and u turn man. A man is he who sticks to his words. Imran is not such type of man. Allah bless Pakistan. Allah save Pakistan from such u turn people.
@IMRAN: You joined and left PTI this is also a U turn ;) @Pindi: For a positive change some time you have you make many compromises, I am not fan of Sheikh Rasheed but I think PTI have to make some seat adjustments to win. You can not clean the garbage without stepping in it.
I am follower of no party. but I am shocked to read the comments of PTI supporters. They are supporting PTI without any logic. They should differentiate between right and wrong step taken by Imran Khan. This blind faith cannot bring any change.
Imran Khan is the master of u turn. He has done such acts many times. I feel pity for PTI people who do not use their own mind.
PTI fans have no reasonable logic for supporting Sheikh Rasheed. They are doing it without thinking for a moment. No answer to the above questions asked by Pindi, IMRAN and SULTAN.
Love for pml n. No doubt that PTI and Sheikh Sahib cannot defeat PML N. Victory will be for PML N.
alliance of sheikh rasheed and PTI cannot defeat PML-N in rawalpindi. vote for PML-N.
I am also from Pindi and I will vote Sheikh because he has alliance with PTI
In by-elections of NA 55, PPP supported Sheikh Rasheed. Now in elections 2013, PTI will support Sheikh Rasheed. Is this change? Don't you know the role of Sheikh Rasheed in Musharraf era? Don't you know that he is getting defeat in elections again and again? You are doing so just because you want to defeat PML-N. Is Imran's this decision is on merit? Does Sheikh Rasheed deserve PTI support? Is this change? If this is the change then I feel very sorry for PTI's vision. I request my dear PTI fans to please reply.
IK made many u-turns during last few months. Making alliance with sheikh rasheed is one of them. IK always criticized Lal Masjid incident and sheikh rasheed palyed a key role in that incident. I also joined PTI but left afterwards due to such illogical steps. PTI followers should try to be realistic. Why IK needs support of Sheikh Rasheed in Rawalpindi? It means that IK has no ideology. He also taking wrong steps as per need of the hour as done by other politicians. He is doing so at the cost of his ideology. THEN WHERE IS CHANGE.
@Johan the Baptist and other like-minded: Whatever you or anyone can say about Sheikh Rashid, the fact is that SR is NOT involved in any corruption though he held many important ministerial portfolios during his political career. One can't say this about Hanif Abbasi who used his position as MNA to further his business interests. HA will do the same thing with precision and perfection if re-elected. It is for the voters of the constituency to choose between honest and corrupt.
immature decision by IK to make alliance with Sheikh Rasheed. immature politics of IK. I was looking for some change from IK but he did the same like traditional politicians. I request PTI fans to use their mind. Dont go in bliNd faith. Say right what is right. Say wrong what is wrong. Dont say that IK's every move is right. PLEASE.
Isn't this the same Sheikh Rasheed about whom Imran Khan said on TV, may god never make me like Sheikh Rasheed. Now they are both partners. LOL! What a change! People of Pakistan should be ready for more such changes coming their way after the elections if IK were to win.
@Sadia:
I live in Rawalpindi. PML n is winning Rawalpindi with majority. Sheikh sahib will get nothing from here.
I live in Jeddah. PMLN is winning Jeddah with majority. Inshallah Nawaz Sharif will be back permanently after May 11 to develop this constituency. Imran will not get a single vote here.
PTI will not be able to get more than 10 seats in entire Pakistan. imran showed immaturity by making a coalition with sheikh rasheed. I never expected it from Imran. What is the change then? It is a complete u-turn by IK.
A suicide for PTI. Is this the "Naya Pakistan" PTI is talking about? PTI has really disappointed me by adjusting seat with Sheikh Rasheed. I am not going to vote PTI because of such big mistakes it did in past few months.
Actions speaks louder than word, just see the news channels, rallies and jalsas.... We all have seen and we all know who will win from Rawalpindi :) May Allah be with Imran Khan and PTI !
@Sadia... I think your Rawalpindi and my Rawalpindi is not the same.... I have a family of 12 people and we all are voting for PTI, I know atleast 26 such families who are doing the same, in my friend cricle, there is not a single person who is voting for PML-N....
Lets not forget what he said, and if he ever comes to people after loosing these elections, he should be reminded what he said. Not to mention he said it atleast once earlier but still he is asking for votes, despite the fact that he has been defeated two times, one of the said defeats was sheer humiliation.
PTI will clean sweep Insha Allah. We need a better Pakistan.
Well, no matter what I am going to vote for PTI, and because Sheikh sahib is in alliance with PTI so will vote for him.
Imran did a big mistake to join hands with sheikh rasheed. it shows that imran has no vision. Imran made a u-turn in this regard. I shall vote for PML N INSHA ALLAH.
I live in Rawalpindi. PML n is winning Rawalpindi with majority. Sheikh sahib will get nothing from here.
He might be loud at times but if my memory serves me, he has delivered on his promises in the past as compared to the likes of Hanif Abbasi, who use their constituency as a base for business expansion rather than doing anything worthwhile for the people.
Best of luck Shaikh sab
@Roni: These liberal are in Govt in last five years, Why they can not tackle terrorism. Why they could not pass any law against terrorism? And Please in Punjab there are no attacks on liberal/non liberal. PPP is running election campaign here nobody is attacking them.
entire youth will vote for PML - N. shaikh sahib, better luck next time.
The period of Sheiks Rashhed is over. NA-55 and NA-56 will be won by PML(N) with clear majority. Tsunami is finished forever.
Sheikh sahib, PTI has already lost the battle. you did wrong decision to make electoral alliance with PTI. pml - N all the way.
Sheikh Rashid is a very talkative man.
I don't believe in what he is saying.
The lion of Rawalpindi politics has spoken. Frankly, he is quite a popular person on the TV circuit. Salams
Look at the Tulli and Hashmi they are all safe as long as they are in Taliban's good books. They are having a ball while the liberal parties are picking up their worker's dead bodies. Yet if they won, they would call it free, fair and peaceful election.