‘Deal with PML-N, PPP’: Rashid asks PM to take nation into confidence
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LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid has asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to take the nation into confidence if any deal with the PML-N and the PPP is in the making through money.
“Today, I am making a big disclosure. I also hope that PM Imran Khan will not mind it. There are reports that these two parties — PML-N and PPP — are paying money for striking a deal with the government. If it is true, please take the nation into confidence,” he said while speaking to the media at a press conference here at Railways Headquarters on Saturday.
He questioned the huge security cover, including the Rangers, being provided to PAC Chairman Shahbaz Sharif.
“I demand the chief of army staff immediately order withdrawal of the Rangers (personnel) deployed for Shahbaz’s security. If not, then I should also be given Rangers security,” he said.
“Giving such a huge security (cover) to accused Shahbaz, who is allegedly involved in 23 NAB cases, is sending a very negative message to the public at large,” Sheikh Rashid alleged and added the Sharifs had looted money everywhere, including Qatar and Kuwait.
He claimed: “They didn’t spare even Osama Bin Laden as they received money from him also. They received money from Osama when he was respectable to everyone.”
Criticising the PPP, he said he would be with Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari if his long march would be against corruption.
The minister said the difference between the Sharifs and Zardari was that the Sharifs knew how to protect the money they had looted and Zardari used Falooday Wala and the deceased people in this regard. He said he had asked Naeemul Haq (not Imran Khan) for his appointment as PAC member.
“I told him that my presence in PAC was necessary since the people had voted us for getting revenge from thieves and recovering looted money from them. Finally, I replaced Riaz Fatyana in the PAC. But the speaker is yet to issue a notification in this regard,” he said.
He said those who thought that I would do something wrong in the PAC were wrong.
“I know the Constitution and other procedures very well than others. Why are they worried about my induction into the PAC? Bring anyone to compete with me,” he challenged his opponents.
He asked Shahbaz to quit the PAC chairmanship since he was an immoral PAC chairman.
“I once again say that Imran Khan has committed a blunder by agreeing on Shahbaz’s appointment as PAC chairman,” he said.
Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2019
Khalid Hasnain is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn. His reporting focuses on Pakistan Railways, Lahore’s civic affairs, and the energy and power sector. He can be found on X at @KhalidHasnain10
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Feb 03, 2019 10:36am
Rashid is right, Imran should come out with it, even if the Sharifs and Zardaris and their minions return the billions of dollars they have stolen? they still need to be punished under the law.
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Feb 03, 2019 10:42am
Sheikh Rashid needs to continue to focus on improving the railways. Seeking cheap publicity, and making sensational public statements while sitting on Government benches is not a good thing to do. If he has an issue, then he needs to go through proper channels, and get an appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss his concerns.
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Feb 03, 2019 10:51am
Sheikh has neither been multiple time a provincial minister nor he is current PAC chairman. Nor he has done 1/100 of development comparitively with or without getting blame of money laundering. Then how he think he deserve any comparable security.
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Feb 03, 2019 10:54am
I have been a PTI supporter but I stand completely with Sh Rasheed. No more secret deals will be tolerated by people of Pakistan and if IK does this his politics will also finish like AAZ and NS...
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Feb 03, 2019 10:58am
I agree with Shaikh Rasheed. PTI has committed the biggest political blunder by compromising and accepting Shahbaz Sharif as the PAC chairman in the National Assembly. PTI has handed over a major political victory to PML-N at the sole expense of its own credibility. People expected harsh accountability and not compromises from PTI
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Feb 03, 2019 11:04am
"There is a report I just made up that PML-N and PPP are paying money to striking a deal with the government."
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Feb 03, 2019 11:08am
As it was expected!
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Feb 03, 2019 11:36am
This is what happens when you put incompetent people in office. If his history is any clue, he will sabotage his own party for personal gains and air time.
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Feb 03, 2019 11:37am
PTI should go back to the people and explain the current situation. They cannot govern and deliver when they do not have a clear majority both in the parliament and the Senate. A fresh election is the only solution to get out of the current predicament. People trust and respect Imran.
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Feb 03, 2019 11:47am
Everyone knows whose language he speaks. Why doesn't he questions Chaudry Pervaiz Elahi's corruption and embezzlement of government land!
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Feb 03, 2019 11:51am
Why you are worried on unity within elected members of parliament, it will be good for our dear country as in fighting will end and we all will have one focus to develop this country.
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Feb 03, 2019 11:58am
Everything is for sale, except this time it maybe more than 10%
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Feb 03, 2019 11:59am
Sheikh Rashid is right. There is no reason or basis for making Shahbaz the chairman of PAC. Absolutely none.
A known thief against whom there are NAB cases getting bail, being allowed to attend Parliament and becoming chairman is against all common sense. It beats the imagination. IK has blundered. Salams
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Feb 03, 2019 12:28pm
Sheikh Rashid is great and right. He is only bold person in PTI followed by Fawad Chowdhry. Rest are good friends of Nawaz and party members. This is is the only chance to save Pakistan from looters by following Sheikh Rashid the great and the honest.
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Feb 03, 2019 12:48pm
@Observer#1, Sheikh Rashid is right. Why should any Pakistani politician get such heavy security in Pakistan. How do you expect the Foreign investment. How safe will the foreigners feel or tourists that PM Imran Khan is asking to visit beautiful Pakistan
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Feb 03, 2019 12:49pm
@Observer#1, what has development got to do with security?
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Feb 03, 2019 12:53pm
He is very Right About that
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Feb 03, 2019 12:54pm
If he is not being taken in to the cofidence in such a very important issues he is assuming,he should step down from minister ship if he has moral courage..
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Feb 03, 2019 01:08pm
If Nawaz and zardari return billions back and retire from politics then pack them off .
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Feb 03, 2019 01:32pm
@SA, If there is anything like that then PTI leadership is also culprit and they should resign. And if there is no deal then what happened to the promise of bringing back billions of dollars within weeks.
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Feb 03, 2019 01:33pm
This guy is all froth no substance, a typical minister from Khan's cabinet who can talk nonsense nonstop and perform zero when it comes to delivery.
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Feb 03, 2019 02:37pm
I agree with Shaikh Rashid. Our PM Imran Khan is lucky to have a person like him in the cabinet. Appointing a wolf (Shabaz) to guard the sheep is what kind of wisdom.
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Feb 03, 2019 02:37pm
@Taimur, Dont expect billions back within weeks. Legal process is long. But the loot maro has stopped and money is being recovered, slowly but surely.
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Feb 03, 2019 03:15pm
Like vast majority of people, I also would like to know: is any deal been done with Nawaz Sharif, Shabaz Sharif and Asif Zardari in return of some of the looted money? Or, some reliefs have been given to them? Nation want to know from PM Imran Khan to avoid any confusion and speculations in the media that buzzing around.
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Feb 03, 2019 04:00pm
We understand why IK agreed to accept SS as chairman of PAC. We also understand the reservations of Shiekh Rashid.
What is not understandable is the constant news from various quarters that NRO has been agreed between government and the looters. Mr. Qureshi denies it.
We do not mind giving NRO to the looters provided following conditions are fulfilled.
1. A complete statement of wrongdoing by the looters along with the list of assets that they and their family members have accumulated in Pakistan and abroad.
2. Complete return of all those assets.
3. Apology to the nation.
4. A declaration that no assets have been omitted.
5. An authority acceptable internationally to Government of Pakistan to recover any assets not declared under the above process.
6. The term family members to include anyone dead or alive in whose name the property is bought.
7.The professionals in the field should draw a comprehensive agreement on this matter.
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Feb 03, 2019 04:49pm
Yes! Deal must be made so that we get our looted money back. And the deal must be made public so that looters can't speak white lies so freely.
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Feb 03, 2019 05:12pm
@SA, It seems that the parliamentary type of system is dysfunctional for the standards of honesty in the country. A strong and honest dictator, if elected as president, will do a lot better.
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Feb 03, 2019 05:47pm
Sh Rasheed is a smart politician and he know inexperienced Imran Khan got trapped in Sharif's appointment which may lead something harmful to government.
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Feb 03, 2019 05:59pm
They should pay $10 billion each and no political participation through any party. I think Pakistanis will like it.
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Feb 03, 2019 06:01pm
As a Pakistani citizen, I will be happy if they paying looted money and get loss from this country. But looks impossible.
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Feb 03, 2019 06:20pm
This is another PTI reflection and their roll model, please leave this country alone.
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Feb 03, 2019 06:31pm
Sheikh Rashid is right. The nation wants to disclose the deal if anyone has struck out with the looters of public funds.However such a deal would badly damage the personal as well as political stature of IK.
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Feb 03, 2019 07:03pm
Strange government, sheikh is himself not clear about Imran khan and Doubting him, where as Shah Mahmood qureshi on other hand is saying PML N and PPP are making deal, nothing can happen if Government stick to something, means either Government is interested in making deal or force which brought government is making a deal. King maker is active.
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Feb 03, 2019 07:43pm
Corruption, the primary problem of Pakistan, must be unearthed and stopped with the full force of law and under no circumstances should it be hidden under the rug as happened in the past. PTI came to power with this mandate and must fulfill this obligation at all costs.
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Feb 03, 2019 08:31pm
He is absolutely right. Shahbaz cannot be PAC chairman when he is under investigation and we all know he is guilty but it is difficult and tedious business to implicate the big thieves because they murder witnesses and have lawyers who delay proceedings. Inshallah Shahbaz will soon be with Nawaz in Jail. Then he too will get medical problem soon as he lands in jail and ask to go abroad for treatment.
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Feb 03, 2019 09:00pm
Sheikh Rashid is very right in challenging Shahbaz Sharif’s unmerited appointment as PAC chairman who is implicated in stealing and several money laundering cases outstanding against him. Rashid is raising voice for honesty and compassion against injustice and greed. He is a risk taking politician with significant experience and he fully knows that Sharifs’ greed is stronger than their compassion. Experience has no substitute and that is Rashid’s power.
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Feb 03, 2019 09:02pm
@AW, in real politics unless you have an overwhelming majority in parliament, then the smaller parties can call some of the shots. much of the parliamentary rules relating to parliamentary committees were concocted by the ppp and pmln, this was done hand in hand for their desire to loot the state but also to try to create a two party system whereby they could alternate in power. Imran Khan had had to bite the bullet and allow Shahbaz Sharif to head the pac, purely on the basis that he does not hold the majority of seats in parliament. in relation Rashid sahib, he should show more acumen , knowing too well that the prime minister is under a lot of pressure, it is precisely because of this that it may benefit the prime minister with Rashid speaking out.
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Feb 03, 2019 09:13pm
Sheikh Sahib is 100% correct.
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Feb 03, 2019 10:08pm
When PM's right hand man states: "‘Deal with PML-N, PPP’: Rashid asks PM to take nation into confidence"
Eventually CAT is out of the bag! IK has lost all his political and moral credibility!
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Feb 03, 2019 10:46pm
Sheikh Rashid is a man of integrity and candor and usually make constructive suggestions. Hopefully, PM listen and act on his suggestions.
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Feb 03, 2019 11:51pm
Sheikh Rashid is going to resign as federal minister and he is right why pac chairman could be a person alledged for corruption in jail and facing so many cases.
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Feb 04, 2019 12:31am
@Manzoor, sorry, but IK is right and will always be better than anyone PPP or PMLN can put forward because IK is honest and dedicated to improving Pakistan.
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Feb 04, 2019 12:50am
@Ahsan Gul, man of integrity? Did you know he was, for quite long, as full of praises for NS as he is for IK now? And was with Gen Musharaf all the way?
Empty slogans don't make up for integrity. Even the thieves have a "moral code" among themselves.
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Feb 04, 2019 01:12am
If NS is freed to travel to London then my vote to PTI went in vain. It will mean that powerful criminals can never be punished in Pakistan. That will be the end of my hope in this country. I’m sorry but I’m heart broken. Looks like I was cheated yet again.
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Feb 04, 2019 03:26am
True we welcome statement of Shaikh Rasheed it is unalienable right of people of Pakistan to know what is going on under the table in all fairness demand is in the interest of the public Pakistan
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Feb 04, 2019 05:21am
Sh Rasheed has a valid point. There should be NO deal what so ever with the proven thieves.
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Feb 04, 2019 05:22am
@Dr Ibrahim, Are you trying to support the thieves?
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Feb 04, 2019 05:25am
@Observer#1, His security should be in the form of handcuffs by Police. No rangers at all. It is degrading.
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Feb 04, 2019 06:13am
Shaikh Saheb is right 100 %, that Imran Khan should tell the nation if he is against or for the freedom to Sharif. He will lose all the goodwill from the world. He will be Punjab's Altaf Hussain Hussain Haqqani. Shameful!
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Feb 04, 2019 08:35am
@Abid Ali Virk, well said. He is a type of politician who changes colors like a chameleon as circumstances demand. His motive for voicing his opposition for any reprieve to NS & company, is definitely not on moral grounds but to equalize score with those who ditched him in the past unceremoniously and nothing else.
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Feb 04, 2019 08:48am
@Dr Ibrahim, Everybody knows that he has always been too big to his size of shoes. Assuming that to be true how do you expect that he would change his trait for IK or his party knowing well that they need him more than he needs them. As they say coming events cast their shadows before. May be before parting ways, he just want to look pretty and nothing more. Let us keep our finger crossed, expecting worst but still hoping best to happen.
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Feb 04, 2019 09:10am
Returning the money is only half of the punishment, the real and the other half of it is actually being sent to jail
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Feb 04, 2019 08:52pm
Money should not be exchanged for justice.
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Feb 04, 2019 09:28pm
They will only return stolen money in full when they are punished.
Only after some weeks of jail, is there talk of money return.
You will get more back, if you give full punishment.
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Feb 04, 2019 10:03pm
He has the ability to say what the people want to hear ... a true politician.
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Feb 04, 2019 11:18pm
@Dr Ibrahim, how do you think he got where he is now. By following channels?
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Feb 04, 2019 11:53pm
@SA, The Zardaris are not the type who would return a single penny to Pakistan until they are thrown behind bars for 20-30 years.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:15am
I never liked Shaikh Rashid but after his strong opposition about Shahbaz Sharif and other looters I am becoming a fan of him.
Keep it up Mr Shaikh, many neutral wiil people will take your side.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:32am
@SA,
How about others too...
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Feb 05, 2019 03:14am
Don't expect any money returned by the thieves. The money is in the Western banks and the Western policy is to squeeze Pakistan economically. I suspect they are pulling out of Afghanistan because our government demanded a large payment for transit of war supplies and they don't want to ease Pakistan's economic crisis.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:22am
@Zak,
'Dont expect billions back within weeks. Legal process is long.'
Don't expect money back at all. Transfer of large sums we are talking about are not determined by any legal process, they are determined by politics. Why would the West give up a $100 billion to save any crook in Pakistan. They can buy a ship load of new crooks for a fraction of that amount.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:24am
People are just guessing about "Something's cooking" !
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