For as long as people have known of Imran Khan, they have associated some big milestone for Pakistan with him. May it be the 1992 World Cup or Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, his actions for his country have always spoken louder than words.
He has always branded Pakistan in whatever capacity he could. From 1971-1976 he represented Pakistan through county cricket at Worcestershire. While studying at University of Oxford, he sowed the seed of a progressive nation in the minds of all those who knew him.
After graduating from Oxford and finishing his tenure at Worcestershire, he returned to Pakistan in 1976 and secured a permanent place on the national team starting from the 1976–1977 season, during which they faced New Zealand and Australia.
In 1978, he finished 3rd at 139.7 km/h in a fast bowling contest at Perth establishing his credentials further. In 1988, they did the unthinkable & defeated West Indies on their home ground, which at that time were known to be the best team in the world.
He pioneered the reverse swing bowling technique, which he taught to Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, who further spread it. He set the identity for Pakistan through cricket and is undoubtedly the best all-rounder captain Pakistan has ever seen.
He believed that the local talent would rise through regional cricket because that's how people would take interest in the sport & make it commercial. We now see it in the form of Pakistan Super League. This was the only way to nurture youth according to him.
When it came to building Shaukat Khannum Cancer Hospital, it was pure passion and clarity that drove him. No one can deny the effort that went into making it a world-class institution at a time it was thought to be impossible. Shaukat Khannum single-handedly gave purpose to an entire nation.
Him returning to cricket and eventually winning the historic 1992 WorldCup was aligned with his determination to turn SKMCH into a reality. The team played to build the hospital and they believed they could contribute to Pakistan through this win, and they did.
The campaign to build SKMCH became a national effort. The 'tigers' were filled with self-belief as they sold tickets in their schools. People gave as much as they could despite creed, colour & race.
Imran Khan unified the country through cricket & through the hospital.
Through Imran Khan Foundation the deserving are supported. It has provided help to flood victims, earthquake victims and more. This foundation once again set examples in empathy. Imran Khan would lead the efforts from the front ensuring full transparency and accountability.
He has always been a strong proponent of quality education and Numl (offering University of Bradford degrees in Pakistan) is a proof of that vision. It's free, it's merit-based and open to all.
Next stop? An education city.
When he decided to enter politics, it was to uplift his people and push them towards their full potential, like he did with his teams. The 22-year struggle against corruption started in 1996 with a handful of believers like President Dr. Arif Alvi and Imran Ismail.
Through the Hospital, Prime Minister Imran Khan, has shown Pakistan how institutes are built and run against all odds. He turned a moment of personal pain into an opportunity that will benefit generations. The hospital is the epitome of empathy and its legitimacy can't be questioned.
Khan Sb has his people's trust. He is the biggest fundraiser, ambassador and the strongest believer in the potential of Pakistan and will continue to do so. He knows how to build systems and he will leave Pakistan with a foundation.
Pakistan began with the belief of one man - Muhammad Ali Jinnah, under the motto of Faith, Unity, Discipline. Pakistan was formed with the sacrifice of thousands of people in the name of freedom. Pakistan was formed to provide safety & preserve the dignity of the Muslims.
Today, PM IK is strengthening that vision through empathy. He became the voice for Pakistan & Kashmir.
How are you and I taking that vision forward? How are we building our Pakistan?
Independence is a blessing.
Think.
Pakistan Zindabad!