Lets Agree To Disagree; Gracefully !! By Abdul Salam Dadabhoy

Margaret Thatcher once said; ‘‘I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.’’

The current discussion and controversy regarding Imran, Reham, Jemima and The Daily Mail of UK is a planned and concerted effort to disturb and distract like the one earlier, which resulted in Khan’s divorce with Jemima. Discussing the private life of a public figure is a norm. It has been observed even in mature democracies. Though one does not agree with it but reality is that followers follow some public figures like God and opponents target personal lives below the belt, more than often.

Commonly observed phenomenon it is, that in following a leader insanely, a sense of realization is seen to be lacking with admiration bordering on worship. Leaders are humans, not angels and capable of mistakes. They too have needs, wants and desires. Some are followed with such passion that emotions on the extremes breed intolerance and the result is a tendency to accept wrong by the favorite and gross neglect of even the right by the disliked. People idolize artists, actors and leaders. There is nothing wrong with that so long as thinking patterns remain clear. Personal and intimate lives of those being idolized get picked up generating debates. Personal lives also get dragged into political wrangling and mudslinging. Family lives and details deserve to be kept out from positive or negative commentary. Some argue that everything related to a public figure is public business. This premise prima facie may not be accepted as rationale. Even a public figure requires and deserves space and privacy. Family and personal life of a public figure is not a painting hanging on the street for every one with a paint brush to add a tinge of color to it. Threshold of a domain must be respected, not exceeded or violated. Better half of a Prime Minister may be the first lady but not the Prime Minister. This is no rocket science; just better understanding of how things must be looked at and acted upon with responsibility.

For critics and for those who do not get tired of gossips of Imran and Reham Khan marriage and her past life on media and otherwise need to be mindful that marriage is a personal issue. In this society a woman after marriage becomes a man’s dignity. Imran Khan must have carefully considered her credentials before he proposed and accepted Reham as better half and partner for life and vice versa. Having decided to accept each other as their honor, if Imran and Reham have no problems with the partners’ past and background, why on earth should anyone else?

As far as social and political services of Imran are concerned one cannot help but admire him. He is dedicated, patient and perseverant. For months after the elections of 2013 he kept on agitating that the elections had been rigged and massively so. When no relief was extended by Tribunals and the Election Commission he embarked upon the Azadi March. With thousands of followers and workers reached the Federal Capital by road and later camped at D - Chowk Islamabad. On the fateful night of 30 August 2014 thousands of tear gas shells were fired upon him and his followers but he stood ground, remained imprisoned in the container for 126 days, gave up family life, socialization and all necessities, spoke to the people on daily basis, galvanized and awakened the public, participated in back to back rallies and also coordinated and participated in extremely successful shutter down strikes country wide. Right at the peak of the sit in when the Government was about to give in to his demands, the Army Public School tragedy took place. That tragedy too did not deter and discourage Khan. He has visited Army Public School children and parents many times as a leader should have. Only once was his protocol convoy criticized for its size and since then the convoy has been reduced to a bare minimum of two or three cars despite severe security threats and safety concerns. Since then he has also visited Karachi and Shikarpur for condolence with families of the victims of the Ismaili and Imambargah tragedies.

When available in Islamabad and Peshawar he works nonstop for the betterment of governance, as well as the plantation of one billion trees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. What a great achievement it is that KPK is the only Province where Police is totally de-politicized. Other than that he has held marathon sessions for Shaukhat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital Peshawar and has raised the required target of one billion rupees for its inauguration within 2015. Namal College Mianwali is a great achievement in its own right.

Pakistan Tehreek Insaf Senate candidates did not escape his attention and PTI candidates probably were the only ones who got elected to the Senate without paying a single penny unlike candidates of other Parties. It is quite unfortunate that Imran Khan is not the Chief Executive of Pakistan which he rightfully should have been after the elections of 2013. But it would be much more unfair if he is described in words other than with respect. Not to please him or displease anyone else but because he deserves it. The man is an icon and exemplary role model, a torch bearer of honesty, determination and hard work. God bless him for all that he has done so far and continues to do for Pakistan and its people.

 

The writer is Chairman Dadabhoy group of Companies, an ardent blogger, article writer at various newspapers. He has been twice elected as the youngest vice Chairman at Korangi Association of Trade & Industry.

by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)