Sheikh Rasheed praises Hafiz Saeed: Ex-Pakistan Minister Threatens India at LeT-Linked Event
Sheikh Rasheed praises Hafiz Saeed: Former Pakistan minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed is facing criticism after he appeared on stage with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) members, praised the group's chief Hafiz Saeed, and made threats against India at a public event.
A video from the event shows Rasheed on stage with Khalid Masood Sandhu, who is described as a senior LeT commander and president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), and Qari Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh, a member of the group's central advisory committee.
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Sheikh Rasheed Praises Hafiz Saeed: Claims US Expulsion Over Contact
During his speech, Ex-Pakistan Minister Sheikh Rasheed praised Saeed and showed his support. In the video, he called himself a loyal follower of Hafiz Saeed.
Rasheed said that Saeed's phone number appeared on his phone while he was in the US, and that he was later expelled from the country.
Sheikh Rasheed Threatens India: His Anti-India Remarks Spark Controversy
Sheikh Rasheed praises Hafiz Saeed: He made strong statements against India, saying that Allah would destroy India if it acted aggressively or was hostile toward Pakistan.
Sheikh Rasheed comments on India: Rasheed claimed that India would face widespread destruction, saying that daily activities like birds chirping and temple bells ringing would stop.
He insisted that nothing would happen in India that went against Pakistan. He also repeated his support for Pakistan and Hafiz Saeed.
Former Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Appears with LeT Terrorists
Sheikh Rasheed praises Hafiz Saeed: Rasheed was the Interior Minister in Imran Khan's government from 2020 to 2022. He also founded and leads the Awami Muslim League.
He started the Awami Muslim League and is its leader. In 2020, he served as Pakistan's interior minister when Imran Khan was prime minister.
Rashid was seen with people linked to LeT and spoke positively about Saeed, even though the banned group took part in the event.
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad: Political Career and Background
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, born on 6 November 1950, is a Pakistani politician and the founder and leader of the Awami Muslim League (AML).
He served as Pakistan's Interior Minister from December 2020 until April 2022 under Prime Minister Imran Khan. He has maintained close political ties with Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Born into a Kashmiri family in Rawalpindi's Bhabra Bazaar, Ahmad studied at Polytechnic College before graduating from Government Gordon College, where he led the student union.
He earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Punjab in 1973 and a Master's degree in Political Science in 1982.
Ahmad began his political career as a student while opposing Ayub Khan's military regime.
He was first elected to Pakistan's National Assembly in 1985 from Rawalpindi and went on to win parliamentary elections multiple times.
During his political career, Ahmad held several ministerial positions. He became Minister of Sports in the late 1980s and later served as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting under President Pervez Musharraf. In May 2006, he was appointed Federal Minister for Railways.
After losing the 2008 general election, Ahmad left the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and founded the Awami Muslim League.
He subsequently developed an electoral understanding with Imran Khan and PTI. Although PTI did not formally merge with his party, Ahmad was later elected again to the National Assembly.
In the 2018 general election, Ahmad won from NA-62, Rawalpindi, as an AML candidate. He was subsequently appointed Federal Minister for Railways in Imran Khan's cabinet and took charge in August 2018.
In 2019, he cut rail transport links between India and Pakistan following India's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
In December 2020, Ahmad became Pakistan's Interior Minister following a cabinet reshuffle.
He remained in the position until Imran Khan's government was removed in April 2022.
Known for his outspoken style, political predictions and frequent shifts in political alliances, Ahmad has remained a prominent figure in Pakistani politics.
PTI also nominated him as its prime ministerial candidate in 2017 after Nawaz Sharif resigned, though he received only 33 votes.
Ahmad has also faced controversies involving his political statements and interactions with India.
In 2005, his request to visit Srinagar was reportedly denied by Indian authorities. He was later questioned in the United States regarding Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed but was released after several hours.
In recent years, Ahmad has remained active in Pakistani politics through the Awami Muslim League.
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