Pervez Rashid to be rated as most brilliant information minister

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had discovered in Senator Pervez Rashid an aggressive, untiring, sharp-witted and bold spokesman, who always projected the official policy most aptly during his incumbency as the information minister.

The premier removed him as the information minister at a time when he direly needed such a shrewd spokesperson due to the political situation. It is obvious that he took this step to mend his ties with the military and to defuse the much-touted tensions in civ-mil relations. His decision may ease the so called stress and strains to some extent. But much will depend on the future developments.

Pervez Rashid was not known for sharing any earth-shattering information with any journalist about official meetings.

The conversations were always held on his mobile phone (not on his WhatsApp), which, everyone knows, is hardly safe. Instead of giving any exclusive details, he would always talk about in general terms and would never seek any “secure line” to discuss anything. He was open and upfront.

It is safely assumed that the premier would have taken the decision asking Pervez Rashid to step down with a heavy heart because the minister was most dear to him for his commitment, track record and steadfastness. Pervez Rashid was always part of most sensitive decisions and was known for giving his opinion frankly.

He has an illustrious political career to take pride, and rightly so, and has the distinction of suffering in jails during every martial law regime. Otherwise a soft-spoken man, he was quite harsh when giving ripostes to the political opponents of the government specifically Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. For this reason, he was most hated man in the PTI and this venom was abundantly reflected in Imran Khan’s tweet posted immediately after the development.

Despite employment of worst unprintable methods of torture in the dungeons during dictatorial rules, Pervez Rashid never changed loyalty although he was forced to cross floor. He has no patch on his integrity in spite of the fact that he is in the political arena for many years and held important “lucrative” positions that can trap many to commit illegalities.

He will always be rated as the most brilliant information minister of Pakistan, who stood with the media men when they faced difficult times.

He can’t be bullied by his political adversaries. He has proved in the political field that he is dauntless and consistent and doesn’t become nervous and agitated even over serious political developments.

The official notification removing him as the information minister has some key points that deserve to be taken note of.

One, the government has admitted that the leak of the story in question was a breach of national security, the same official line that was adopted since word go.

Two, the evidence available so far points to a lapse on Pervez Rashid’s part. Three, he has been removed for holding of an independent and detailed inquiry into the leak.

Four, the investigation being conducted by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on the premier’s order is now history after a new inquiry committee is being formed to carry out the probe.

The fresh body, to be formed by the government, will comprise senior officials of the three intelligence agencies and other officers nominated by it.

Five, the committee will apportion blame, identify interests and motives and expose all those responsible for this episode for stern action in the national interest.