Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed

President of Awami Muslim League





Born in Bhabra Bazaar, Rawalpindi, on November 6, 1950, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad first studied at the Polytechnic College and then at the Gordon College, Rawalpindi. He obtained his MA (Political Science) degree from the University of the Punjab in 1982 and then also got Bachelor of Laws degree. He has been very active in student politics throughout his career as a student.

A businessman by profession, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad was first elected to the National Assembly in party-less elections of 1985. He has been elected to the lower house of the Parliament for a record six times and is in the run for seventh term from constituencies. However, it is yet to be seen whether he gets elected to the National Assembly in January 8, 2008 elections or not.

During his political career, He has served as federal minister for labour and manpower; information and broadcasting; industries; sports & culture; tourism & investment and railways. He has also served as member of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Used to be the right-hand man of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sheikh Rashid quit Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and joined the newly formed PML-Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q) to get a ministry after 2002 elections. He holds the office of the party’s senior vice president.
Famous for his public style of politics, he is very popular in his hometown and is known for setting up of a large number of educational institutions in the city. He is one of few politicians who started their political career at grassroots level and rose to prominence.

Sheikh Rashid, who once liked to be called Farzand-e-Rawalpindi (son of Rawalpindi), is the author of ‘Farzand-e-Pakistan’ (Son of Pakistan) and is working on another book, ‘Sub Achha Hai’ (All is Well).

He lives in Lal Haveli (Red Fortress), a tourist destination due to its beautiful, ancient architecture, in the heart of Rawalpindi. Still a bachelor, he is famous for passing a quote during his election speech at Liaqat Bagh where he said: “If one can buy milk from the market, there is no need to own a cow.”

He has been organising a big public meeting to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan on the night between August 13 and 14 at Lal Haveli. A spectacular fireworks show arranged on the occasion is extremely popular among residents of the city and a large number of people turn to watch the show every year.
Always the target of scandals and propaganda from his opponents who criticise him for alleged affairs and illicit relationships with famous television and film actresses, he reportedly once passed some offending remarks against Benazir Bhutto and spent seven years in prison because of the comment.

His hobbies include exercising and reading while areas of his legislative interest are foreign affairs, education and women development.