Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad

{{short description|Pakistani politician}}

{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix =

| name = Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed

| image = File:Rashid Ahmed.jpg

| caption =

| office = 38th Ministry of Interior (Pakistan)

| primeminister = Imran Khan

| term_start = 11 December 2020

| term_end = 10 April 2022

| predecessor = Ijaz Ahmed Shah

| successor = Rana Sanaullah

| term_start1 = 18 August 2018

| term_end1 = 11 December 2020

| president1 = Mamnoon Hussain
Arif Alvi

| primeminister1 = Imran Khan

| predecessor1 = Roshan Khursheed Bharucha (caretaker)

| successor1 = Azam Swati

| term_start2 = 18 August 2018

| term_end2 = 11 December 2020

| office3 = Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Pakistan)

| term_start3 = 2 September 2004

| term_end3 = 25 April 2006

| president3 = Pervez Musharraf

| primeminister3 = Shaukat Aziz

| successor3 = Muhammad Ali Durrani{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/189495/key-portfolios-changed-in-shake-up-durrani-replaces-rashid-as-information-minister|title=Key portfolios changed in shake-up: Durrani replaces Rashid as information minister|date=26 April 2006|access-date=9 February 2022|work=Dawn (newspaper)}}

| term_start4 = 30 June 2004

| term_end4 = 25 August 2004

| president4 = Pervez Musharraf

| primeminister4 = Shujat Hussain

| term_start5 = 21 November 2002

| term_end5 = 26 June 2004

| president5 = Pervez Musharraf

| primeminister5 = Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali

| office6 = Ministry of Labour (Pakistan)

| term_start6 = 11 July 1997

| term_end6 = 12 October 1999

| primeminister6 = Nawaz Sharif

| president6 = Farooq Leghari
Wasim Sajjad
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar

| office7 = Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development

| term_start7 = 11 July 1997

| term_end7 = 12 October 1999

| primeminister7 = Nawaz Sharif

| president7 = Farooq Leghari
Wasim Sajjad
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar

| office8 = Federal Minister for Youth Affairs

| term_start8 = 11 July 1997

| term_end8 = 6 August 1998

| primeminister8 = Nawaz Sharif

| president8 = Farooq Leghari
Wasim Sajjad
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar

| office9 = Ministry of Tourism (Pakistan)

| term_start9 = 11 July 1997

| term_end9 = 6 August 1998

| primeminister9 = Nawaz Sharif

| president9 = Farooq Leghari
Wasim Sajjad
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar

| office10 = President of AML

| term_start10 = June 2008

| term_end10 =

| office11 = Federal Minister for Culture

| term_start11 = 11 July 1997

| term_end11 = 6 August 1998

| primeminister11 = Nawaz Sharif

| president11 = Farooq Leghari
Wasim Sajjad
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar

| term_start12 = 10 September 1991

| term_end12 = 18 July 1993

| primeminister12 = Nawaz Sharif

| president12 = Ghulam Ishaq Khan

| office13 = Ministry of Industries and Production (Pakistan)

| term_start13 = 10 September 1991

| term_end13 = 18 July 1993

| primeminister13 = Nawaz Sharif

| president13 = Ghulam Ishaq Khan

| office14 = Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan

| term_end14 = 17 January 2023

| term_start15 = 20 March 1985

| term_end15 =

| constituency15 = NA-55 (Rawalpindi-VI)

| term_start16 =

| term_end16 = 12 October 1999

| birth_place = Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan

| relatives = Sheikh Rashid Shafique (nephew){{cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/en/sheikh-rasheed-nephew-pti-ticket-na-60-by-polls/|title=Sheikh Rasheed 's nephew gets PTI ticket to contest NA-60 by-election|date=28 August 2018|website=arynews.tv|access-date=20 July 2023}}

| nationality = Pakistani

| party = AML (2008-present)

| otherparty = PML-N (1990-2002)

| alma_mater = Government Gordon College
University of Punjab

| Gender =

| office1 = Ministry of Railways (Pakistan)

| termend2 = 15 November 2007

| termstart2 = 25 April 2006

| president2 = Pervez Musharraf

| primeminister2 = Shaukat Aziz

| preceding2 =

| successor2 = Ghulam Ahmed Bilour

| predecessor2 = Saleemur Rahman Akhoond

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|11|6|df=y}}

| profession = Politician

| constituency17 = NA-38 Rawalpindi-III

| term_start17 = 21 March 1985

| term_end17 = 12 October 1999

| office17 =

| native_name = {{nq|شیخ رشیداحمد}}

}}

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq| شیخ رشید احمد}}}}; born 6 November 1950) is a Pakistani politician who served as the 38th Interior Minister of Pakistan in Imran Khan government from 2020 to 2022. He is the founder and leader of Awami Muslim League, and also maintains close relations with the political party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

He is a Member of National Assembly of Pakistan, was elected since 1985 elected from Rawalpindi. He is longest serving MNA in Pakistan after PML-N Khawaja Muhammad Asif who elected in 1993.

Early life and education

Ahmad was born on 6 November 1950, into a Kashmiri family{{Cite book |last=Viswam |first=Deepa |title=Role of Media in Kashmir Crisis |publisher=Kalpaz Publications |year=2010 |pages=153}} in Bhabra Bazaar in Rawalpindi, Punjab.{{cite web|title=Detail Information|url=http://pildat.org/MNA/rsDetail.asp?detid=55|access-date=9 July 2017|date=11 October 2007|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011141843/http://pildat.org/MNA/rsDetail.asp?detid=55|archive-date=11 October 2007}}{{cite web|title=Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed profile|url=http://www.brecorder.com/Elections2013/candidate/403-sheikh-rasheed-ahmed.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310170622/http://www.brecorder.com/Elections2013/candidate/403-sheikh-rasheed-ahmed.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2016|publisher=Business Recorder|access-date=2 March 2017|date=10 March 2016}}{{cite news|title=Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad - Profile - DAWN.COM|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1025642/sheikh-rasheed-ahmad|access-date=2 March 2017|publisher=Dawn|date=14 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303122756/https://www.dawn.com/news/1025642/sheikh-rasheed-ahmad|archive-date=3 March 2017}}

He received his early education from Polytechnic College and graduated from Government Gordon College. Ahmad was a leader of the student union at Gordon College.{{cite news |date=8 February 2015 |title=Educational institutions no longer centre of cultural activities |language=en |work=DAWN.COM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1162265 |url-status=live |access-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302194102/https://www.dawn.com/news/1162265 |archive-date=2 March 2017}} He completed his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Punjab in 1973. He later earned his Master's in Political Science from the same university in 1982.{{Cite web |last=Tariq |first=Aamir |date=13 February 2023 |title=Profile: Sheikh Rashid Ahmed |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/13-Feb-2023/profile-sheikh-rashid-ahmed |website=Daily Pakistan |quote=He later got his master’s degree in political science in 1982 from the Punjab University.}}

Political career

= Early career =

Ahmad began his political career during his student years and was actively involved against the military regime of Ayub Khan.

He was elected to the National Assembly eight times. In the 1985 Pakistani general election, which was held on non-party basis, he was elected as a member of the National Assembly for the first time from Rawalpindi. Rasheed was re-elected to the National Assembly for the second time in the 1988 Pakistani general election, this time campaigning on the Islamic Democratic Alliance ticket. In 1990, he campaigned again on the IDA ticket and was re-elected a third time to the National Assembly, later becoming the Minister of Sports. Under his tenure, Pakistan won the Cricket World Cup in 1992 under the captaincy of Imran Khan. In the 1993 election, he was re-elected, this time on the Pakistan Muslim League (N) ticket. Rasheed was re-elected in 1997, and in 2002 the PML-N refused to allot a ticket to him. He decided to run as an independent,{{cite news |date=10 May 2013 |title=As Pakistan goes to polls: Take a peek at some major NA constituencies |language=en |work=DAWN.COM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/813877 |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114952/https://www.dawn.com/news/813877 |archive-date=5 March 2017}} and secured a sixth re-election.

= Musharraf administration =

Later, Rasheed joined PML-Q,{{cite news |date=9 February 2010 |title=Sheikh Rashid survives gun attack, three others killed |publisher=Dawn |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/07-sheikh-rasheed-injured-two-killed-in-gun-attack-ha-01 |url-status=live |access-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328005051/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/07-sheikh-rasheed-injured-two-killed-in-gun-attack-ha-01 |archive-date=28 March 2010}}{{cite news |date=23 November 2002 |title=Jamali discusses cabinet with Musharraf: Some ministers may be retained |language=en |work=DAWN.COM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/68140 |url-status=live |access-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303051250/https://www.dawn.com/news/68140 |archive-date=3 March 2017}} and because he was a close friend of then-president Pervez Musharraf, he was appointed as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the Zafarullah Khan Jamali cabinet in November 2002.{{cite news|title=Jamali, cabinet take oath: PPP, PML-N abstain from ceremony|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/68304/jamali-cabinet-take-oath-ppp-pml-n-abstain-from-ceremony|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=24 November 2002|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303045733/https://www.dawn.com/news/68304/jamali-cabinet-take-oath-ppp-pml-n-abstain-from-ceremony|archive-date=3 March 2017}} As minister for information, Ahmed, on public places, had assumed the role of the spokesman of Musharraf{{cite news|title=Heavyweights knocked out|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/290066|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=19 February 2008|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303051253/https://www.dawn.com/news/290066|archive-date=3 March 2017}} and an advocate of the government of Jamali.{{cite news|title=Rashid asked to defend military govt policies|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/68448/rashid-asked-to-defend-military-govt-policies|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=25 November 2002|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303051256/https://www.dawn.com/news/68448/rashid-asked-to-defend-military-govt-policies|archive-date=3 March 2017}}

In May 2006, he was made Federal Minister for Railways.{{cite news|title=Rashid accorded 'clean' welcome|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/190212/rashid-accorded|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=1 May 2006|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303044401/https://www.dawn.com/news/190212/rashid-accorded|archive-date=3 March 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Masood|first1=Salman|title=Maneuvering Before Vote in Pakistan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/world/asia/03pakistan.html|access-date=2 March 2017|work=The New York Times|date=2 October 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215072639/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/world/asia/03pakistan.html|archive-date=15 February 2017}} In the 2008 Pakistani general election, Ahmad ran for the seat of National Assembly on a Pakistan Muslim League-Q ticket, losing the election for the first time{{cite news|title=Defeat due to raid on Lal Masjid: Rashid|url=http://nation.com.pk/daily/feb-2008/21/index12.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229174252/http://nation.com.pk/daily/feb-2008/21/index12.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 February 2008|access-date=2 March 2017|publisher=The Nation|date=29 February 2008}} from both the Rawalpindi constituencies he contested, NA-55 and NA-56, to PML-N.{{cite news|title=PML-N's win in Pindi surprises PPPP and PML-Q|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C02%5C20%5Cstory_20-2-2008_pg7_30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606161340/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C02%5C20%5Cstory_20-2-2008_pg7_30|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2011|access-date=2 March 2017|work=Daily Times|date=20 February 2008}} He won the election from NA-56 for multiple times.{{Cite web |last=SHABBIR |first=SAIMA |date=7 February 2024 |title=Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed |url=https://www.arabnews.pk/tags/sheikh-rasheed-ahmed |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Arab News PK |language=en}} There were rumours that Ahmad had fled to Spain following the defeat.{{cite news|title=The End of Musharraf?|url=http://www.newsweek.com/end-musharraf-93467|access-date=2 March 2017|work=Newsweek|date=18 February 2008|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315033022/http://www.newsweek.com/end-musharraf-93467|archive-date=15 March 2016}} However, these allegations were later found to be false. In an interview, Ahmad said his defeat in the election was due to a raid on Lal Masjid and that "he had promised to quit politics after the 2008 elections but his defeat had changed his mind."

He later left PML-Q where he was a senior vice-president and created his own political party Awami Muslim League (AML) and appointed himself as president of the party.{{cite news|title=Sheikh Rashid quits PML-Q, forms Awami Muslim League: Withdrawal from election race|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/305605/sheikh-rashid-quits-pml-q-forms-awami-muslim-league-withdrawal-from-election-race|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=2 June 2008|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303044612/https://www.dawn.com/news/305605/sheikh-rashid-quits-pml-q-forms-awami-muslim-league-withdrawal-from-election-race|archive-date=3 March 2017}}

In February 2010, when Ahmad was in the run for the National Assembly seat during a by-election in NA-55, Rawalpindi, he lost the election to Malik Shakeel Awan by an enormous margin. Ahmad earlier supported Musharraf's military operation against the militants in Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Siege of Lal Masjid{{cite news|last1=Masood|first1=Salman|title=Former Pakistani Official Attacked in Rawalpindi|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/world/asia/09rawalpindi.html?_r=0|access-date=2 March 2017|work=The New York Times|date=8 February 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303044933/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/world/asia/09rawalpindi.html?_r=0|archive-date=3 March 2017}} and has been on the hit list of militants. He was left devastated by this embarrassing loss and was spotted smoking his cigar alone at times.{{cite news|title=PUNJAB: The sheikh's domain|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1010774|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=11 May 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303045002/https://www.dawn.com/news/1010774|archive-date=3 March 2017}}

= Alliance with PTI =

In the 2013 Pakistani general election, Ahmad made an electoral alliance with Imran Khan to support each other in their respective constituencies in the election.{{cite news|title=Imran, Sheikh Rashid reaffirm seat adjustment in Rawalpindi - DAWN.COM|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/800251/imran-sheikh-rashid-agree-on-seat-adjustment-in-rawalpindi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104124259/http://www.dawn.com/news/800251/imran-sheikh-rashid-agree-on-seat-adjustment-in-rawalpindi|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2014|access-date=2 March 2017|publisher=Dawn|date=4 January 2014}} It was reported that Ahmad has requested for a merger between his party and Imran Khan's PTI,{{cite news|title=PTI head-hunting spree continues – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/300986/pti-head-hunting-spree-continues/|access-date=2 March 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=2 December 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050609/https://tribune.com.pk/story/300986/pti-head-hunting-spree-continues/|archive-date=3 March 2017}} however, the PTI decided not to go for an alliance with any political party.{{cite news|title=PTI agrees to electoral alliance with AML – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/419209/pti-agrees-to-electoral-alliance-with-aml-report/|access-date=2 March 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=8 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303052231/https://tribune.com.pk/story/419209/pti-agrees-to-electoral-alliance-with-aml-report/|archive-date=3 March 2017}} He was re-elected as a member of the National Assembly for the seventh time from Rawalpindi.{{cite news|title=A FEW WORDS : Sheikh Rashid, TV talk shows and the PTI – Dr Qaisar Rashid|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C05%5C22%5Cstory_22-5-2013_pg3_3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614004159/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C05%5C22%5Cstory_22-5-2013_pg3_3|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 June 2013|access-date=2 March 2017|work=Daily Times|date=22 May 2013}} In public circles, he is known for making witty remarks and political predictions. He is also known for switching political allegiances from one party to another. In July 2017, he was chosen by the PTI as a candidate for the post of prime minister, following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after the Panama Papers case decision.{{cite news|title=PTI names Sheikh Rashid for coveted slot – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1469541/pti-discusses-strategy-deal-pml-n-post-pm-resignation-scenario/|access-date=31 July 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=29 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731123647/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1469541/pti-discusses-strategy-deal-pml-n-post-pm-resignation-scenario/|archive-date=31 July 2017}} He secured 33 votes in the 342-seat parliament and was unsuccessful.{{cite news|title=Pakistan elects Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim prime minister|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/pakistan-elects-shahid-khaqan-abbasi-as-interim-prime-minister/|access-date=1 August 2017|work=Daily Pakistan Global|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801161403/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/pakistan-elects-shahid-khaqan-abbasi-as-interim-prime-minister/|archive-date=1 August 2017}} He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of AML from NA-62 (Rawalpindi-VI) constituency in the 2018 Pakistani general election.{{cite news |title=Sheikh Rashid winning in NA-62 |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/346365-sheikh-rashid-winning-in-na-62 |access-date=2 August 2018 |language=en}}

On 18 August 2018, Imran Khan formally announced his federal cabinet structure, and Ahmad was named as Minister for Railways.{{cite news |title=PM Imran Khan finalises names of 21-member cabinet |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1427792/pm-imran-khan-finalises-names-of-21-member-cabinet |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=18 August 2018}} On 20 August 2018, he was sworn in as Federal Minister for Railways in the cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.{{cite news |title=16 ministers from PM Imran Khan's cabinet sworn in |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1428169/16-ministers-from-pm-imran-khans-cabinet-sworn-in |access-date=20 August 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=20 August 2018}} In 2019, as the railway minister, Rasheed severed rail transport links between India and Pakistan due to the revocation of special status for Kashmir.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-pakistan-rail-idUSKCN1UZ0XV|title=Pakistan suspends final rail link to India over Kashmir dispute|date=9 August 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=20 January 2020|language=en}}

In December 2020, in a cabinet reshuffle, he was given the portfolio of the Minister for the Interior.{{Cite web|last=Raza|first=Syed Irfan|date=12 December 2020|title=Rashid gets interior ministry in surprise reshuffle|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1595253|access-date=21 December 2020|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}

On 10 April 2022, Ahmad was removed from his ministry after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted after losing a no-confidence vote.

File:Lal haveli Rawalpindi 1.png, Rawalpindi, pictured in 2023.]]

He submitted his nomination papers for National Assembly, from NA-57 Rawalpindi-VI but after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced for various constituencies in Rawalpindi, including the ones on which Rashid was already contesting, the disappointed former interior minister withdrew his nomination papers from one of the two constituencies that he had been vying for.{{Cite web |last=Yasin |first=Aamir |date=2024-01-13 |title=Dispirited Rashid not to contest from NA-57 as PTI announces candidates |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1805367 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

Ahmed had submitted papers for NA-56 and NA-57 constituencies, but withdrew from NA-57 whereas his nephew, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, withdrew his papers from NA-56 and would be contesting from NA-57. Both uncle and nephew contested from the platform of Awami Muslim League (AML).

He ran the election from NA-56 Rawalpindi-V as a candidate of AML, but was unsuccessful he received only 5,725 votes and lost his previous seat to Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, a candidate of PML-N received 96,649 votes.{{Cite web |title=NA-56 Election Result 2024 Rawalpindi 5, Candidates List |url=https://www.geo.tv/election/NA-56 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}

Controversies

In 2004, during his tenure as Minister for Information, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad was replaced with Shaukat Aziz as minister-in-waiting who would receive then visiting Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji after the Indian External affairs ministry's objection to the nomination of Ahmad as the minister-in-waiting.{{cite news|title=Shaukat to play host to Vajpayee|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/346679|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=2 January 2004|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050735/https://www.dawn.com/news/346679|archive-date=3 March 2017}}

In 2005, India Today reported that Yasin Malik claimed that Ahmad had run a jihadi camp at Fateh Jung in Punjab, where around 3,500 jihadis were trained. Ahmad denied running such a camp.{{cite news|title=Pak minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed suspected behind jehadi camp, peace process in jeopardy|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-minister-sheikh-rashid-ahmed-suspected-behind-jehadi-camp-in-fateh-jung/1/193386.html|access-date=2 March 2017|publisher=India Today|date=27 June 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303045535/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-minister-sheikh-rashid-ahmed-suspected-behind-jehadi-camp-in-fateh-jung/1/193386.html|archive-date=3 March 2017}} Later it was reported that Yasin Malik retracted his statements and denied he had ever said that Ahmad had run such a camp.{{cite news|title=India rejects Rashid's travel application|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/145094/newspaper/column|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=25 June 2005|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303045139/https://www.dawn.com/news/145094/newspaper/column|archive-date=3 March 2017}}{{cite news|title=Did He Help Train 3,500 Militants?|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/did-he-help-train-3500-militants/227765|access-date=2 March 2017|publisher=Outook India|date=27 June 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112184247/http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/did-he-help-train-3500-militants/227765|archive-date=12 January 2017}}

In 2005, during Ahmad's tenure as Minister for Information, he applied for a permit to travel to Srinagar, in his personal capacity to visit the graves of his grandparents and meet his relatives in Jammu & Kashmir.{{cite news|title=Rashid seeks permit for private Srinagar visit|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/142708|access-date=2 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=9 June 2005|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050553/https://www.dawn.com/news/142708|archive-date=3 March 2017}} However India denied Ahmed's request to travel to Srinagar.

In 2012, Ahmad was detained at Houston airport over suspected links with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, an alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He was released after five hours of questioning after official protest by the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States.{{cite news|title=Pak ex-minister detained in US trained Kashmir jihadis|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/special/pakistans-ex-minister-detained-in-us-airport-used-to-train-jk-jihadis-special/20120629.htm|access-date=2 March 2017|work=Rediff|date=29 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303045802/http://www.rediff.com/news/special/pakistans-ex-minister-detained-in-us-airport-used-to-train-jk-jihadis-special/20120629.htm|archive-date=3 March 2017}}{{cite news|title=Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed briefly detained at Houston airport – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/400449/sheikh-rasheed-ahmed-detained-at-houston-airport/|access-date=2 March 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=28 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050447/https://tribune.com.pk/story/400449/sheikh-rasheed-ahmed-detained-at-houston-airport/|archive-date=3 March 2017}}

In 2014, Ahmad was off-loaded from a Toronto-bound PIA flight due to non-issuance of clearance by the Canadian authorities.[http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/03/21/city/sheikh-rasheed-offloaded-from-pia-flight/ Sheikh Rasheed offloaded] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513055703/http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/03/21/city/sheikh-rasheed-offloaded-from-pia-flight/ |date=13 May 2016 }}. Pakistantoday.com.pk (21 March 2014). Retrieved on 11 May 2016.

In 2018, Ahmad was accused by Malik Shakeel Awan of concealing and failing to mention in his electoral papers possession of 100 kanal (12.5 acres) of land. Ahmad won the legal case regarding the allegation, and later confessed that he had forgotten to mention the land in his electoral papers. The decision was considered extremely biased in favour Ahmad and had remained disputed.{{Cite web |last=Bhatti |first=Haseeb |date=2018-06-13 |title=Supreme Court rules in Sheikh Rashid's favour in misdeclaration of assets case |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1413876 |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

Books

  • Farzand-e-Pakistan [Son of Pakistan], 1995, 200 p. His first book, it was a best-seller, having gone through at least 13 editions.{{Cite web |last=Tariq |first=Aamir |date=13 February 2023 |title=Profile: Sheikh Rashid Ahmed |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/13-Feb-2023/profile-sheikh-rashid-ahmed |website=Daily Pakistan |quote=His first book, Farzand-e-Pakistan (Son of Pakistan), was an instant hit and 13 editions of this book have been sold so far.}}
  • Lal Haveli Sey Akwaam-e-Mutthahida Tak [From Lal Haveli to the United Nations], 2020, 352 p.{{Cite web |date=6 September 2020 |title=Sh Rashid launches book 'From Lal Haveli to the United Nations' in Lahore |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/562619-Sh-Rashid-launches-book-From-Lal-Haveli-to-the-United-Nations-in-Lahor |website=Dunya News}}

References