Protest on Panama leaks will start after Eid: Sheikh Rasheed

Syed Mussarat Khalil JEDDAH — Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, leader of Awami Muslim League (AML) Pakistan, said that the year 2016 would be the most decisive year in Pakistani politics. “It is most likely that the protest on Panama leaks would start soon after Eid and every one of us will be participating in it. We gave the government enough time. Now we will go to the people and fight in election commission, Supreme Court and as well as come out on to the street,” he said. Sheikh Rasheed was speaking with the journalists at an iftar and dinner reception organized in his honor by a platform of the leading print and electronic media representatives of the Pakistan Journalist Forum (PJF) at Lasani restaurant Madinah The veteran politician and analyst is visiting Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and spend the holy night of 27th Ramadan with other tens and hundreds of thousands of people and prominent public figures at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. He criticized the ruling Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government, which is under investigation for massive financial scandals. He said that Nawaz Sharif is trying to survive by self-exile. “The country is running on Internet, Facebook and e-mail without a prime minister for last 2 months,” he added. He added that there is a growing divide in the Sharif family with Nawaz Sharif having doubts about his brother Shahbaz Sharif’s proximity to the Pakistan army, believing the latter to be an agent of the army. Sheikh Rasheed, a national politician whose political career spans over 2 decades and has served as federal minister in various capacities — labor and manpower, information and broadcasting, industries, sports & culture, tourism and railways, said the present conditions of the country are very challenging. There are undeclared wars in Karachi and Balochistan province, and if the situation sustains then this internal strife can be reach the state. He expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the two Holy Mosques for best services and facilities to the Umrah pilgrims. He thanked PJF President Shahid Naeem, Chairman Amir Mohammed Khan, General Secretary Jamil Rathore and all members of PJF for the felicitation. Masood Ahmed Puri, president Kashmir committee, Kamran Butt, member School Management Committee (SMC) Pakistan International School-English Section (PISJ-ES) and several community members were also present.