Newly appointed Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid allegedly manhandled an elderly woman who attempted to meet him and later damaged the cellphone of a cameraman who had managed to record the incident, it emerged on Wednesday.

Channel 24 cameraman Aqib, whose phone was allegedly damaged, narrated details of the episode that took place on Tuesday afternoon to DawnNewsTV. Rashid, chief of the Awami Muslim League, has denied the allegations.

A photo of cameraman Aqib's damaged phone. — Photo by author
A photo of cameraman Aqib's damaged phone. — Photo by author

According to the cameraman, the incident occurred when he and a reporter had reached Rashid's Lal Haveli residence in Rawalpindi to record an Eid-related programme.

While they were there, an elderly poor woman tried to enter Rashid's house to meet him and reportedly seek financial help, but was stopped by the security guards posted at the gate.

The woman started crying upon being refused entry, Aqib told DawnNewsTV. Hearing the commotion, Rashid stepped out of his home and after a reported exchange of words, the AML leader allegedly shoved the woman away.

Rashid then turned towards Aqib, who was recording the incident through his cellphone's camera a few feet away. He allegedly snatched the phone from Aqib and slammed it onto a concrete block, the cameraman claimed.

No complaint has been filed with the police regarding the incident by the woman or the cameraman.

Meanwhile, Rashid while talking to DawnNewsTV denied manhandling the woman or damaging the cameraman's phone.

Editorial

Budget delay
Updated 04 Jun, 2026

Budget delay

With economic stabilisation yet to translate into tangible improvement in living standards, the country’s leaders are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore demands for relief.
Absentee lawmakers
04 Jun, 2026

Absentee lawmakers

TWENTY per cent. That is the percentage of lawmakers whose commitment to their vocation is reflected in the time ...
Deliberate provocationst
04 Jun, 2026

Deliberate provocationst

THE latest events at Al-Aqsa Mosque reflect the growing impunity with which extremist Israeli settlers operate. ...
Missing confidence
03 Jun, 2026

Missing confidence

For the government, the economy may be more stable now than it was three years ago, but for manufacturers and exporters, it is still difficult to do business.
GB elections
03 Jun, 2026

GB elections

THERE has been some heated politicking in the country’s scenic north in recent days, with Gilgit-Baltistan finally...
The Lebanon factor
03 Jun, 2026

The Lebanon factor

THE fragile calm that followed the recent US-Iran confrontation is being tested. Iran has made it clear that it does...