Here's how M. Ziauddin sees Sheikh Rashid

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 31 May 2020

M. Ziauddin has labeled Sheikh Rashid Ahmed a 'tout' of the Pakistan Army, questioning his credibility. His comments stem from a past conversation with Imran Khan regarding Sheikh's role in media.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Veteran journalist Muhammad Ziauddin (pictured) has termed Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed a "tout" of Pakistan Army who does not have an iota of credibility.

In a rather explosive tweet, Ziauddin added that before the 2018 general elections, when he asked Imran Khan about Sheikh, "His answer: I need him for TV talk shows. I don't have one like him in my party."

Ziauddin, a former editor at The News, Dawn, and The Express Tribune was reacting to a tweet by Talat Aslam, a senior editor at The News, Karachi, in which he wondered the railway's minister gets so much media attention.

"Why is Sheikh Rasheed given so much media importance? Has he actually done anything significant? He has lived off media coverage of his 'chatpata' statements, been a key part of virtually every government in the last 30+years (except PPP ones) yet poses as a street-wise rebel."

Photo: Twitter (@MuhammadZiauddi)

He is an Army tout that is why not because he enjoys even an iota of credibility. When I asked Imran much before polls why Sheikh Rashid? His answer: I need him for TV talk shows. I don’t have one like him in my party.

— Muhammad Ziauddin (@MuhammadZiauddi) May 31, 2020

KEY POINTS:

• M. Ziauddin critiques Sheikh Rashid's credibility.
• Calls him a 'tout' of the Pakistan Army.
• References a conversation with Imran Khan about Sheikh.
• Questions the media's focus on Sheikh Rashid.
• Highlights Sheikh's long political tenure.