Congratulating Imran Khan

Former cricketer and a prominent politician of Pakistan Imran Khan recently got married again. I wish him happiness and joy in his new journey.

I had the opportunity to hear him speak on leadership skills, at a meeting in Islamabad in 2014, as part of a delegation visiting Pakistan.

He came in a simple traditional outfit, a white salwar kameez, a pair of traditional Peshawari shoes called mojdis and a black jacket just like he is dressed in his wedding picture. The packed hall of about 900 people exploded into thunderous cheers and stood up for a standing ovation. Young boys and girls jumped up with excitement, thumped their tables and filled the air with whistles. I was staggered to see conservative Pakistani girls scream with delight when he arrived! The welcome befitted a movie star.

He moved to the stage and began speaking, clearly, simply and in elegant Urdu; every member of the audience could understand him. His thoughts were crystal clear; he stood for a multi-cultural and secular framework, believed in a corruption free society, condemned the attacks on minorities and their places of worship and had faith in the young and rapid economic development. Each proclamation drew cheers from the audience.

Clearly he was precious to the youth of Pakistan. Seeing the stunned disbelief on my face, a Pakistani colleague remarked, “For us, he is your Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Amitabh Bachchan, all rolled into one!” True.

This man was generating mass adulation, bordering on hysteria. He represented hope and peace. A young student asked, “Why should we vote for you next time, when we are facing problems? Our temples are being attacked in Larkana.” Khan responded, “The attacks should be condemned.” I was taken aback that a youngster would dare to ask such a sensitive question publicly; I was even more surprised to see that Khan respond with a straight bat.

With his rugged, Pashtun features, brilliant declamation skills and shining sincerity, Khan could have cemented a place in the movies; but he bravely chose a road not taken, secularism and modernity.

- The reader is based in Mumbai, India.