Sheikh Rasheed declares Firdous Ashiq Awan ‘Sahab’

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed, while passing insinuating remarks to Bilawal Bhutto, declared Special Assistant to the PM on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan ‘sahab’. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, he said: "I do not think I am capable for the Ministry of Information. Firdous Ashiq Awan is a great minister and experienced. I sometimes give answers for Prime Minister Imran Khan but it is Firdous Ashiq Awan Sahab's job to run the ministry." The ‘slip of tongue’ was pointed out by reporters who questioned whether this was an intentional, timely statement or a mere error to which he replied: "I said no such thing, any way a fight has been started in the country over 'Sahab and Sahiba'. Firdous is a strong woman and will not really be affected by my statement,” he said. Regarding the premier referring to Bilawal as ‘Sahiba’, Sheikh Rasheed stated: “PM called Bilawal 'Sahiba' and that is the end of it, why is this topic being dragged on? An environment of judo karate has been created in the National Assembly. The debate over 'sahab' and 'sahiba' has gone off track." However, Special Assistant to the PM on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan has not yet reacted to the statement.

Sheikh Rasheed says no option except to approach IMF

Earlier, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that there is no option except to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) despite its tough conditions. Addressing the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday, he said that economy cannot improve until political conditions are not favourable. “Thieves have manifesto of looting and then dispersing. They fall sick afterwards,” he said. The minister said that the society had overall gone corrupt. “Wealth, not modesty, has become the identity,” he said. He said that the prices of medicines are being raised from Karachi. “The gas price has been increased due to gas theft,” he added. Sheikh Rasheed said that he had asked Imran Khan to allow Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari to go. “Lest they die in jail and the government is held responsible for it,” he maintained. He said that everyone knew that the governments of Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif were corrupt.