Fahd Husain appointed special assistant to PM
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 14 May 2022
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Fahd Husain has been named special assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, effective immediately. This marks a notable shift as he becomes the first journalist to hold such a position in the coalition government.Summary
ISLAMABAD—The coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made Fahd Husain, a former resident editor of daily Dawn, his special assistant.
According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister's Office, under rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business 1973, Husain has been appointed as special assistant to the prime minister with the status of a federal minister, with immediate effect.
Fahd, a nephew of PMLN leader Senator Mushahid Hussian, becomes the first journalist to get an official posting in the coalition government.
Commenting on the appointment, Rauf Klasra termed it a sad development. In his tweet, he said: "Fahd Hussain has been my editor at The News. A fine gentleman and professional. But his decision to become minister in Shahbaz Sharif Govt will further put dent in already falling credibility of jjournalism&journalists. We all ll get hit from our critics who think we are sold out.Sad"
Another twitterati Zubair Abbasi felt that by appointing Husain as special assistant, the prime minister ignored other "hard working journalists" such as Asma Shirazi, Gharida Farooqi and Saleem Safi. "I protest on Fahd Husain's appointment as SAPM. Asma, Gharida and Safi worked harder. This is injustice."
Anchor Imran Riaz Khan also termed Fahd's decision to join the government as a sad development. In a tweet in Urdu, he said he has worked with Husain for eight years and felt his journalistic stature is much higher than the official position. He also felt that Fahd was inclined towards the Pakistan Democratic Alliance, which is now in power.
As an article by Fahd was published in Dawn on Saturday, the newspaper said the article went into print before the announcement of "Mr. Hussain's new assignment."
After Shehbaz Sharif took oath in April, journalist Khawar Ghumman had said that at least six journalists would be given positions in the government.
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Key Points
- Fahd Husain appointed as special assistant to PM Shehbaz Sharif.
- He is the first journalist to take an official government role in the coalition.
- The appointment has faced criticism from other journalists and commentators.
- Husain's decision may impact the credibility of journalism in Pakistan.
- His appointment was announced through a notification from the Prime Minister's Office.
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