Fahd Husain vanishes from public appearance after becoming PM’s aide

ISLAMABAD: Journalist Fahd Husain has vanished from public appearance after becoming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s special assistant.

After becoming the premier’s press adviser, Fahd Husain was not seen in major press conferences.

Recently, two press conferences were held by central leaders of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) including Musadik Malik, and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the second presser by Muhammad Zubair and Daniyal Aziz.

Moreover, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Qamar Zaman Kaira are conducting press conferences and media interactions on a daily basis like other spokespersons, however, Husain is not found anywhere which gives an impression that he is seemingly appointed to work behind the scene instead of delivering statements on behalf of PM Sharif.

If Husain is working on media plans for the ruling political party without any public appearance, then it cannot be considered praiseworthy too.

If a minister gave a statement about not having sufficient funds to purchase poison for suicide, then the next day newspapers were showing expensive advertisements of the PML-N government at state expenses.

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail is consistently complaining about the severe economic crisis but the PML-N government is spending millions of public funds for its promotion via ad campaigns which cannot be done without the recommendations of Fahd Husain.

Last month, veteran journalist Fahd Husain had been appointed as Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with the status of the federal minister, however, his decision for accepting the government slot was criticised by some journalists.

Syed Fahd Husain had earlier given his opinion against the affiliation of a journalist with any political party or a government member.

Hamid Mir said, “Late night development. I was a regular reader of Fahd Husain but never read his column this morning. He joined politics late last night. I wish him good luck but I am also very sad because we lost a good journalist.”

A senior journalist Mazhar Abbas wrote on Twitter, “I wish Fahad Hussain should not have accepted this position. He is too good a writer to be part of any government. Journalists and government are adversaries.”

Rauf Klasra wrote, “Fahd Hussain has been my editor at The News. A fine gentleman and professional. But his decision to become minister in Shahbaz Sharif Govt will further put dent in already falling credibility of journalism&journalists. We all will get hit by our critics who think we are sold out. Sad.”

Mubashir Zaidi said, “In my opinion if a journalist accepts a government position he/she should first announce it publicly with justification before notification of the appointment.”

Analysts said that Syed Fahd Husain is a conventional journalist who is undoubtedly a skilful journo, however, he will face the new challenges of the social media era after accepting the position which is a difficult task.

Analysts also wondered whether the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government is going to appoint another journalist for keeping a close eye on social media developments.