The Idealistic Khan

Many people believe that playing their best game as a human being requires them to revolutionalize their lives. And for most of us, that’s a scary thought. No one wants to make massive changes to the way they think, feel and behave. Human beings love staying within the comfort zone, but not this person. He, with his casual confidence raised the bar of self belief, motivated his self to get beyond comfort zones, constantly striving to reach for something higher. Cricket to charity-he has conquered it all. Ready to surmount and scale unassailable heights in Pakistan politics-Imran khan’s legend is all set to win us again.

He overwhelmed the world with his startling ability, he gave cricket a different theme, and he is and always will be thought of by cricket fans internationally. Imran Khan, an exceptionally talented all rounder is the game of cricket and has reached the pinnacle, resembling no one else. This cricketer was born no differently than any other person. Born in Lahore, Pakistan on November 25, 1952, into a family of six. The lone boy and seventh member of his family. His parents named him Imran Khan Niazi and truly loved him since he was the only boy in their family. He was part of a learned and cultured family. When it was moment for Imran to go attend a college, he went to the esteemed public school in Lahore, the Aitcheson College. When sixteen, Imran made his debut for Lahore. Imran’s cousins Javeed Burki and Majid Khan were Legends of Cricket and encouragement for Imran to play cricket. When Imran was twenty-one, he was admitted in the Oxford University. For three years he studied economics and politics. In 1974, Pakistan toured England and therefore he was selected because of his form for Oxford University Team and his skill with verbal communication in English. He had not succeeded to make a huge spot as all three of his tests were drawn. Imran played for Sussex as well, and constantly played for Sussex because his love for the English conditions. In 1987, Imran was determined to leave cricket, since Pakistan’s finest team leader was gone; the team was in somewhat of crisis. On personal request of President Zia personally Imran returned in 1988. Then came his biggest triumph in cricket, the World Cup 1992, which he won for his team, nation and especially this triumph helped him to built cancer hospital, only one of its kind in entire South Asia, named it after his mother Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. (SKMCH).

In 1995, Imran decided to marry. He wedded with Jemima Goldsmith. She was baptized and confirmed as Protestant but converted to Islam. In his memoir, “Pakistan A Personal History”, he describes, “I was amazed at how firmly both Lady Annabel and Jimmy Goldsmith (Parents of Jemima) stood behind Jemima’s decision. Of course there were warnings about the problems of a cross-cultural marriage- but neither was at all against Jemima’s conversion to Islam. When the news of our marriage broke in mid-May 1995, the media in both Pakistan and UK went berserk, particularly over Jemima’s conversion.”

Fundamentally an Idealist, Khan’s attitude toward his life and ambitions is, “If u want to succeed in life don’t be a slave of realism, always dream big, don’t follow the similar old tradition to reach to your goal. Only those people change the world that doesn’t pursue realism. Those who change the world are always idealist and they dream big. People will always tell you don’t do this or that and will discourage you by saying it’s not possible, only if you follow idealism then only you will succeed. Only those things are impossible who we accept in your mind. Otherwise nothing is impossible. One is never defeated till he accepts the defeat. Live your dream. Don’t ever compromise on your dream, compromise on ways of how to achieve your dream. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

During Zia’s regime, Nawaz’s government and Musharaff regime, he was offered Ministerships and Portfolios respectively, but because of his Anti-Status Quo stand and ideology he declined all these offers. Then On 25^th April 1996, Imran set up his own party, Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice), with an energetic slogan of “Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem”. Khan has accredited his decision of entering into politics with a religious arousing in him, influenced by his meetings with a saint namely Mian Bashir that began at the twilight of his cricketing career. After struggling for almost 16years, he has blasted on the political screen of Pakistan. Considered as a true Pakistani, who is now the most famed leader among the youth of Pakistan. He is the only recognized politician who is free from any charges of corruption and from any external or internal pressure.

His party boycotted the national elections on 18^th February 2008, because of The National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) issued by the former President of Pakistan, General Pervaiz Musharaff, on 5^th October 2007. It granted amnesty to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats who were accused of corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, murder and terrorism between 1^st January 1986 and 12 October 1999, the time between two states of martial law in Pakistan and hence, no member of PTI has served in Parliament since Khan’s resignation in 2007.” Apart from Janghir Khan Tareen, who is a Member of Central Executive Committee of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. It was because of NRO that corrupt and criminal leaders became the head of State and leaders of Pakistan. It is because of these corrupt elite that Pakistan is on verge of bankruptcy and can collapse if proper action is not taken claimed Imran. Imran Khan can be anything , but not an dishonest individual, said former President Pervaiz Musharaff who himself want to have an alliance with PTI, but Imran refuses to take him on board as he time and again held Musharaff responsible for the mess in Pakistan today.

Imran’s Vision of Pakistan

 Imran Khan is profoundly influenced by writings of Allama Iqbal and political struggle Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He considers former as his spiritual leader and later his political ideologue. Imran’s vision of Pakistan is to make Pakistan a “welfare state and a genuine democracy with rule of law and an independent judiciary, and need to decentralize, empower people at the grass root levels”.

Moreover, Imran wants to disengage from the War on Terror, as he held that, War on Terror is responsible for the rising terrorism and fanaticism in the state which has ruined the social fabric of Pakistan. Sectarian clashes are on the rise and people in minorities have formed different militias groups to defend themselves as present corrupt government has failed in protecting the lives of minorities. Pakistan has sacrificed around 32,000 civilians and more than 5,000 army men in the War on Terror related suicide attacks and military operations in last more than one decade.

Imran’s Rallies

On 30^th October 2011, Lahore and December 25^th 2011, Karachi, were Imran held his rallies respectively. PTI claimed that up to 150,000 and 450,000 people attended these rallies respectively.  Nevertheless, the two most crucial rallies which were attended by lakh of people from all walks of life were the rallies which PTI held in Quetta Baluchistan and Tank Waziristan. These were two thriving landmarks in the political carrier of Imran Khan. After decades, Pakistan National Anthem was sung in Baluchistan and after the government’s resentment and Tehreek Taliban Pakistan had threatened to have send suicide bombers to Waziristan rally, still PTI made it to tank to his solidarity with dreadful drone victims. His rallies get bigger and bigger and more inspirational day by day. Electrifying slogans assert him as the next prime minister of Pakistan.

Imran’s Anti-Status Quo Stand

Calling present politicians “Coalition of Crooks”, Imran has decide to end the present colonial modus Vivendi, he said on many news interviews that he will have only 17 members for his cabinet and will give up all the colonial luxurious wasteful spending and would try to save every penny to get his country out of the IMF debts. And he wants to transform colonial symbols like Presidential Palaces and Governor Palaces in Libraries, Sports Stadiums and Parks. Imran want to fracture the corrupt political mafia of Pakistan. Many commentators in Pakistan call him Chavez of Pakistan. Recently, Imran khan has gained a lot of popularity and support because of his Anti-Status Quo stand from middle, poor class and from renowned anchors and columnists like Hamid Mir, Hassan Nissar etc.

Imran’s Kashmir Policy

Amongst a range of issues which engulf Pakistan today, Kashmir remains the core issue to resolve. Imran firmly believes he and his party can solve this long pending issue. Imran believes neither military nor militancy can solve the core issue. There are three ex-ministers in PTI, who have dealt with Kashmir Issue in the past. Most notable among them is Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, the foreign minister during Musharaff’s regime, it was during Musharaff’s regime in 2007 that Kashmir Issue could have solved had there not be political turmoil in Pakistan which destabilized the General’s regime. Imran firmly believes that he can solve the issue but has always insisted that on both side of line a strong leadership is required who can make the call.

Respectable, visionary, audacious and honesty leader is need of hour for the nation of Pakistan. And many believe Imran fits in the position. Is Imran khan the man this tumultuous nation is waiting for? Can he solve all the major issues and problems of Pakistan? Only time can answer this question. Many regard him as “The Only Hope” for Pakistan now.

Author lately received Master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Studies. He can be reached at: [email protected]

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