By. Muhammad Irfan Siddiqui
In the shifting sands of Pakistani politics, where loyalties are often fleeting and alliances are molded by expediency, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed stands as a towering exception. A veteran politician, statesman, and intellectual force within the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), he has remained resolutely loyal to Nawaz Sharif through the party’s most difficult and turbulent chapters. His political journey is not just a tale of allegiance; it is a testament to principled politics, democratic ideology, and a rare kind of selfless leadership.
Where others bowed under pressure or changed course to stay afloat, Pervaiz Rasheed held firm — not for power or position, but for conviction. In an age where pragmatism often overtakes principle, Rasheed has remained the conscience of the PML-N, and a loyal torchbearer of the Nawaz Sharif political philosophy.
A Lifelong Association with Nawaz Sharif and PML-N
Pervaiz Rasheed’s association with Nawaz Sharif spans over three decades, forged in the fire of struggle, state victimization, and ideological battles. From the early 1990s, when Nawaz Sharif emerged as the face of a populist center-right movement, Rasheed became one of his closest political aides. Over the years, he took on key responsibilities within the party and the government, including as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Chairman of the Pakistan Television Corporation.
What distinguished Rasheed from others was not only his loyalty to Nawaz Sharif but his ability to defend party policy with reasoned logic, clarity of thought, and democratic conviction. He was never just a spokesperson — he was a strategic thinker and a political craftsman who helped PML-N articulate its stance on constitutionalism, civil-military balance, and economic policy.
During the 2007–2008 Lawyers’ Movement, Pervaiz Rasheed played a behind-the-scenes yet important role in reinforcing the PML-N’s support for judicial independence and democratic restoration. He was never afraid to speak his mind, and his principled stands often made him a target of undemocratic forces, especially during authoritarian or quasi-authoritarian rule.
The Intellectual Bedrock of PML-N
Among a political class often criticized for lacking depth, Pervaiz Rasheed is a rare intellectual. He is articulate, informed, and deeply aware of Pakistan’s historical, constitutional, and democratic challenges. He regularly appears on national media, not to deliver rhetoric, but to educate, clarify, and morally defend the democratic position.
As Information Minister during Nawaz Sharif’s third term (2013–2016), Rasheed navigated an increasingly hostile media environment with calm authority. He became the face of the democratic narrative, countering not only the populist agitation of PTI but also the shadowy interventions of undemocratic forces. He was instrumental in maintaining press freedom, ensuring media independence, and resisting censorship, even when it came at a political cost.
His speeches in Senate and press conferences reflected a deep commitment to constitutionalism, civil rights, and the role of Parliament. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he never indulged in mudslinging — instead, he used reason and historical context to present the party’s stance.
The Price of Loyalty
Perhaps no other senior politician in recent history has suffered more for his loyalty to Nawaz Sharif than Pervaiz Rasheed. In 2016, he was forced to resign as Information Minister over the so-called “Dawn Leaks” controversy — a manufactured scandal rooted more in civil-military tension than any factual wrongdoing on his part. The reality remains that Rasheed took the fall for defending civilian supremacy.
Then in 2018, during Senate elections, his nomination papers were rejected, not due to legal ineligibility, but because his loyalty made him unacceptable to the powers that be. This move was widely seen as political victimization — a message to all those who dared to align with Nawaz Sharif’s “vote ko izzat do” narrative.
Yet, despite being pushed to the margins, Pervaiz Rasheed never abandoned the party, never spoke against Nawaz Sharif, and never joined rival forces — even when personal political rehabilitation was just a switch away. This extraordinary perseverance is what sets him apart: a man who chooses honor over office, conviction over compromise.
Unwavering Support for Maryam Nawaz
One of Rasheed’s most significant and future-facing contributions has been his staunch support for Maryam Nawaz Sharif. At a time when some within the party elite were skeptical about her political ascent, Rasheed saw her as the natural heir to Nawaz Sharif’s ideology and vision. He not only endorsed her leadership openly but also mentored and defended her through every politically motivated challenge.
Whether it was her arrest in the fake accountability cases, her public mobilization campaigns, or her bold stance against the establishment’s interference in politics, Pervaiz Rasheed was always there — providing intellectual guidance, moral strength, and unwavering public support.
His presence by Maryam Nawaz’s side during her most difficult moments added credibility and gravitas to her struggle. He was instrumental in linking Nawaz Sharif’s legacy with Maryam’s emerging leadership, thus ensuring continuity of the democratic resistance within PML-N.
The Bridge Between Past, Present, and Future
Pervaiz Rasheed is one of the few leaders in Pakistani politics who seamlessly connects the past struggles, present challenges, and future aspirations of a political movement. He understands the party’s ideological DNA, having been part of its formation and evolution. At the same time, his open-minded support for new leadership, especially Maryam Nawaz, shows he is not stuck in nostalgia, but deeply invested in the party’s future relevance.
He represents the moral core and ideological soul of the PML-N — someone who doesn’t chase electoral victories at any cost, but insists on democratic legitimacy, institutional reform, and respect for the Constitution.
In many ways, Pervaiz Rasheed is a rare bridge in Pakistani politics — one who combines wisdom of experience with progressive vision, and who continuously reminds the party and its workers of the true purpose of political service: justice, truth, and public good.
Conclusion: A Leader Who Chose the Right Side of History
In the final analysis, Pervaiz Rasheed’s political legacy is not defined by how many seats he held or how many elections he won. It is defined by the clarity of his principles, the depth of his loyalty, and the strength of his character. He remains a lighthouse in Pakistan’s stormy political seas, guiding the PML-N with wisdom, integrity, and unshakeable faith in democracy.
In a political arena where betrayals are common and moral stances are rare, Pervaiz Rasheed is the exception — a true democrat, a loyal friend, a guardian of Nawaz Sharif’s vision, and a mentor to Maryam Nawaz. His contributions may not always make headlines, but they have shaped the ideological spine of the PML-N in ways that few others have.
History will remember him as a defender of civilian supremacy, a champion of principled politics, and above all, a loyal son of democracy.
