In times of need, Sheikh Rashid looks to ‘guru’

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has recently contacted his former boss General (r) Pervez Musharraf, assuring him full support and promising to forge a political alliance for the next election, while requesting funding for his own political activities, Pakistan Today has learnt.
A source in the Musharraf-led All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) told Pakistan Today on the condition of anonymity that Sheikh Rashid, during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, had phoned Musharraf in London.
“Sheikh Rashid called on the cell phone of APML Secretary-General Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif and requested him to pass on the phone to Musharraf. As Musharraf attended the phone, Sheikh Rashid told him that he still considered him his ‘political guru’, and would like to enter into alliance for the upcoming elections once the general returned to Pakistan. He also told Musharraf that he was going to hold a big public gathering to announce alliance with Imran Khan who was carrying forward the same agenda of moderation which was introduced by Musharraf,” the source said.
Stressing the sincerity of his claims and his loyalty to Musharraf, Sheikh Rashid further told the former president that he was speaking from Masjid-e-Nabvi, and was standing near the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) grave, the source said. “He also said that he needed funds for holding a public meeting at Liaquat Bagh and asked Musharraf to provide financial assistance.” However, according to the source, Musharraf replied that he had no money to fund Sheikh Rashid’s political activities, as his only source of income was the lecture circuit, and that he was using lecturing around the globe to earn his livelihood. “Nonetheless, Musharraf added that he had always supported Sheikh Rashid and that he would again support him in future, as he was going to enter into a significant phase of political career,” the source said.
“Finally, Musharraf asked Sheikh Rashid how much money he needed, and that how he would be able to transfer the money to him. Rashid responded that Musharraf could transfer the money to any APML leader, and that he would contact the receiver and collect it,” the source said. Musharraf reportedly asked Rashid to wait for Barrister Saif, who would contact him upon visiting Pakistan, and finalize the amount needed and the mode of transfer in a meeting. “However, Sheikh Rashid kept waiting and waiting, but Saif never contacted him despite the fact that he visited Pakistan last month,” the source added.
When contacted, APML Coordinator Dr Mohammad Amjad confirmed the telephonic talk between Rashid and Musharraf. “Yes, General Musharraf had told me that Sheikh Sahib had contacted him and assured him that on his return, APML and AML would enter into political alliance. He also said that since Imran Khan, Pervez Musharraf and he (Rashid) himself were carrying forward the same political ideology of introducing a third force, as the people had fed up with the PPP and the PML-N, all the three parties should work together to get rid of corrupt politicians,” said Dr Amjad. He also confirmed that Rashid had called Musharraf during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia.
However, when asked about Rashid’s request for funds, Dr Amjad denied having knowledge of any such request. Asked whether he had provided any funding to Sheikh Rashid on behalf of Musharraf, Dr Amjad said that he did not provide any financial assistance to Sheikh Rashid.
Repeated attempts were made to contact Sheikh Rashid for his comments but his phone went unanswered.