To be honest I really took notice of Imran Khan after the 1992 world cup but this could chiefly be attributed to young age.
His efforts and contribution on the field made me take notice of cricket and him as a personality. His captaincy was always a mystery, he had total control over the players and the impression created was that these players were forced to give their best because Imran Khan would be there in the pavilion waiting with a stick to punish any bad shot or ball.
At a young age I did not realize that threat alone does not achieve the success at international level cricket, especially in a team sport. It was the creation of a meritorious culture, fairness and discipline which made the average team of the 80’s into the cornered tigers and world champions of 1992.
Imran Khan was a great bowler, batsman, all rounder, cricket captain and champion. Many Pakistani’s would have admired him for perhaps the rest of his life regardless of his other contributions. With his success, wealth, foreign connections and social standing there was no need for him to travel on the roads of Pakistan for donations or wade through the muck of national politics. Only a person with ambitions and goals of a higher and nobler purpose follows the path which Imran Khan has pursued.
Imran Khan is an intellectual who has learnt from sports. Only a sportsman can understand the effort and hard work of training physically, the effort to best oneself over another, show sportsmanship in victory or defeat, to constantly try and improve personal skill and qualities, always perform with excellence and above all to show humility. What individuals learn about human behavior in a lifetime through experience or academics is bested by sports players in a shorter duration.
Imran Khan had the opportunity to match his skills and qualities with the best cricketers of the world. He constantly worked to hone his capabilities and his name can easily be counted as one of the best cricketers in any era.
Most Pakistani’s do not perhaps realize the philanthropist trend he has set in Pakistan with his campaign for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust.
Pakistani’s as Muslims have always contributed generously to the needs of fellow Muslims through Zakat. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital was the first mass charitable campaign which made people aware of their strength, the capacity and their ability as a nation.
The remarkable aspect is that there was an absence of mass communication facilities like internet and cable television at that time.
Imran Khan created a whole generation of cornered tigers when he visited schools and colleges of every city in Pakistan. The campaign of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital was spearheaded by teenagers who were asked to collect donations. Imran Khan declared these young individuals to be his cornered tigers, a philosophy which surfaced during the 1992 world cup.
A cornered tiger has nothing to lose and is the most daring and ferocious when it is boxed in. The youth motivated by Imran Khan and cricket victory did not question whether the campaign was possible or impossible; they just answered Imran Khan’s call for helping the needy. Perhaps that young generation which contributed to the campaign of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust learnt something valuable from it and is now contributing in other ways for the welfare of Pakistan.
His ability to motivate the youth is extraordinary, as cricket captain in young players, as a philanthropist while generating funds through the help of school children, as a politician to ensure a proper system of governance.
It is a fact that he was instrumental in forming the cricket team into a winning combination. The culmination of his career was with the world cup triumph for Pakistan through talented young players. The hard work of one generation bore fruit and was beneficial to the next.
As a social worker his earlier attempts to generate funds from Pakistanis failed to reach the required targets. He put his hope and trust in the youth which was rewarded. Elderly Pakistanis were jolted into action when they saw the ambition, determination and hope of these young tigers. I know examples in which parents themselves started selling coupons of their childrens’ receipt books at offices and to friends.
As a political leader Imran Khan has massive support in the youth but his views are met with skepticism by the senior Pakistani’s. Why is this so? It is a question asked by many, to which I have heard no valid or plausible answer.
My opinion is that the teenagers and youth of Pakistan are as yet untainted by the corruption, duplicity, negative politics and selfish personal interests. At least they do not as yet have had the opportunity to take part in these activities practically. Perhaps they too will become like other Pakistani’s when they become seniors, if the present system does not change, however for now majority of the youth has hope.
Young age is full of dreams and ideals, with the whole world and all its opportunities before you. You believe in the impossible, but when reality takes hold a lot of things seem difficult. Reality especially in Pakistan could be a nightmare for some, which keeps on repeating itself.
Imran Khan’s personality and logic appeals to the youth because it reflects optimism. The greatest lesson and philosophy which has its roots in Islamic values, pursued by Imran Khan is to struggle constantly and never give up. No matter what the reality at present we should strive for our ideals.
It would be unfair to say that all leading Pakistani’s are pessimists. A number of distinguished individuals are working in every field making commitment, honesty and integrity the hallmark of their personalities. However the sad and painful part of the story is that these heroes are never given centre stage. They are considered as the odd men, the foolish or individuals who cannot survive in the jungle. These individuals are the cornered tigers of Imran Khan.
The Pakistani Nation thinks and works on extremes. Either they are extremely indifferent towards the present system or extremely vibrant when calamity strikes. I do not count, being vocal and emotional as being active. Without practical steps to change the status quo, Pakistani Nation will be categorized as being indifferent. The skeptical ideas that an honest and just leadership cannot exist in Pakistan have to be thwarted. Change is inevitable, even without effort to convince; people will realize that they have run out of options. With no other alternate available Imran Khan will be the only ray of shining hope.
Imran Khan is a leader who has struggled in the democratic setup with high principles and ethics. His passion alone convinces an individual that he will bring a vibrant change in Pakistan.
A single Pakistani with his passion can overturn the tables on a team of eleven. The entire Pakistani nation if awakened and united for a common cause has passion to overturn the tables on the present reality.
Salman A. Bugvi
“I am an individual who firmly believes that PTI will bring a positive change in Pakistan. My aim and reasons for writing this article are to explain some answers to questions which have recently surfaced and to pay tribute to Imran Khan, a personality who has shaped the way in which I think. Perhaps this article will be a source of inspiration for PTI members, the youth and elders and enhance, broaden the imagination and knowledge of the readers.
I am an online member of PTI and an active, vocal person in my circle of friends. Am residing in Lahore and belong to the teaching profession. I am also a writer with some contributions in DAWN Newspaper. These contributions can be viewed online if you do Google search for ‘Dawn Letters Salman Bugvi’”.
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