Last Sunday, Imran Khan delivered another promise when his brainchild Namal College in Mianwali was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. After Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital in Lahore, its yet another gift from the Great Khan for the people of Pakistan. Located alongside of famous Namal Lake, Namal College will have full support from University of Bradford UK which has also granted it Associate College status. Although Imran has been working on this project since 2002, strangely, it got very little media attention until the launching ceremony of first phase of project. The idea is to gradually develop Namal College into an Oxford like world-class research university and knowledge city where scholars can work and study in an Oxford-like academic environment.
The most impressive part of this project is that majority of the students at the college/university will be on scholarships and come from areas where they would not have had the opportunities that the Namal College would offer. The Namal College will be of enormous benefit not only to the Mianwali district but also the whole of Pakistan. Over the long term, Namal College’s “Knowledge City” will act as a best practice model for other regions of Pakistan to extend its benefits nationally, like the Shaukat Khanum is doing today.
Imran Khan started to work on the idea to build a university beside Namal Lake (above) during 2002 elections when he was running his campaign in Mianwali District. He observed one of the highest level of unemployment rate among the youth who were mostly unskilled. Everyone young person he came across during that time, told him that they can’t get any job because of lack of education and technical skills. That’s when Imran decided that he would build a world class educational and they don’t have any technical training college in one of the most backward areas like Mianwali. A place like Namal College where even the children of poorest people can get quality education, technical training and employable skills, so that they could earn a decent living. Last Sunday saw the first phase of his dream come true.
According to The News:
A large number of people gathered on Sunday for the inauguration of the college, including government ministers, educationists, and donors alongside the people of Mianwali, who have so generously donated the land on which the college has been built.
Working alongside Imran for the last two years has been the University of Bradford, one of the leading universities in the UK, especially in engineering and management courses. The university has been ranked No 1 for graduate employment in the north of England in The Times League tables for the last five years and has a history of developing and delivering high quality and demand-driven degree programmes as well as an excellent reputation for research.
In December 2005, Imran was appointed the university’s first international chancellor, succeeding four previous chancellors, the first of whom was Harold Wilson, Labour Prime Minister of Britain.
The University of Bradford has granted ‘Associate College’ status to Namal College. Commenting on the importance of the partnership with the Namal College, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bradford Mark Cleary said, “The university does not award Associate College status lightly. In our 42-year history since we were granted our Royal Charter, we have given this status to only eight Associate Colleges in the United Kingdom and only three around the world. We were, however, inspired by the vision and values for Namal College, which we felt were very similar to our own and to the commitment for excellence, exemplified by Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, also a partner of the university, which we know will be demonstrated here at Namal College too.”
The Bradford University will be involved in designing the courses and curriculum, in ensuring quality assurance mechanism and training and development for the faculty. Courses will be delivered in 4 phases. The Phase I will offer certificate courses, Phase II diploma courses, Phase III degree course and Phase IV research degrees.
The initial curriculum will be focused in the following areas: Construction (masons, carpenters, electricians), automotive engineering, electrical engineering with emphasis on appliances repairs; agricultural equipment engineering, development and maintenance, and cement industry work.
Let us hope and pray that this project fulfills its objectives of providing the best quality educational, research and technical training opportunities to the poorest and most neglected segments of our society. Anyone interested in knowing more, how can s/he help and donate, please visit official website of Namal College or goto Tehreek-i-Insaf website. More information on Namal College can be found here, here and here.
Note: Most of the photographs have been provided by Ahsan Mansoor of PTI, Lahore. Click on the links for rest which will take you to original photographer’s website.
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We’re probably going to have to agree to disagree on this Darwaish, but I must say this theory of NS offering him 50-80 seats in 1997 is completely new–never heard it before–not even from IK himself, whom I have met a few times and heard him speak several times. And quite frankly, makes zero sense. How can anyone just offer someone seats? The party has to win the seats on their own.
I was in Pakistan for that election and voted in it. Prior to the election, there was extremely acrimonious exchange between IK and NS–NS had such a clean sweep in those elections, therefore he had no reason to pander to anyone.
However, I do know that a few months after the elections, NS (trying to show false magnanimity) offered IK the post of Sports Minister, which IK refused (in my opinion, wrongly).
He should have taken it–like Bhutto took Foreign Minister in Ayub’s cabinet. If he was good at the job, maybe he would have gotten more support from the people, like Bhutto did. It is this all or nothing approach of IK that Babar has pointed out earlier on this forum, which is very apolitical.
Now, your second theory, about Mush offering IK the post of PM, I have heard this one before, from IK himself and his supporters–but frankly, I don’t believe it. Everyone knows IK has a mind of his own and will not listen to anyone or bow down, so why on earth would Mush leave aside all the panderers around in Pakistan’s politics and ask IK, who had no political base to placate anyway. Mush wanted someone maleable, like Shaukat Aziz, who would go with the flow–not a loose cannon like IK.
Incidentally, many other politicians also claim that Mush offered them the post of PM–IK is not alone in this. Amin Fahim also claims this for instance, and to me, that makes more sense–that would have essentially neutralized a part of the PPP–far more beneficial for Mush than giving it to IK–who had no base to neutralize.
IK would have brought nothing to the table for Mush.
Incidentally, ZAB created the chance–that is what I am talking about. He had several flaws, but he did create the chance–that is a difference between an astute politician and someone who is more of a talk show personality, like IK.
And by the way, Edhi won the election the first time he contested, but he lost the second time. Read his biography and find out for yourself. Just goes to show that if you are good at philanthropy, it does not necessarily mean you are good at governance.
And btw, one man’s popularity won’t do jack in the US unless that man comes from either the Democratic or Republican party! Do you honestly believe that Obama could have made any headway at all if he didn’t belong to the democratic party. Trust me, politics is not so different anywhere.
I also find it a bit ironic btw that IK always speaks highly of monarchies and dictatorships in other countries, like Britain (he is very enamoured by the royalty there) and Mahathir in Malaysia (says he is his role model)–one really wonders about his commitment to democratic values. If you talk to his teammates on the cricket field, they also talk about his dictatorial style—I think this is also a key reason he has failed to build a democratic team.
Oh well, chances are not always created in our kind of politics sometimes they come in our way. Now if we take them or not, that’s a different story. Take IK for example. In 1997’s elections in which NS got that heavy mandate, he offered IK between 50-80 seats which IK refused. Whether he over-estimated his popularity or it was really a matter of principles for him as he claims, that’s up to people to decide. That was a massive chance which he didn’t create (by any definition of what you call creating chances in politics) but it just came his way. Second time around it was Musharaf who made him a great offer to become a major political player but again he didn’t take it. Now it was his bad luck, stupidity, error of judgement or a right decision that remains to be seen. I am sure both NS and Musharaf must have seen something in IK to make such offers? That’s what I mean when I say IF he gets a chance and I seriously think he will get one more chance. Reminds me of late 60s when some chances came ZA Bhutto’s way (coz of fate and Ayub Khan’s failures) and he grabbed them with both hands.
IK (or someone like him) cannot have any major success in current political setup because I don’t believe he has that grass root level party structure in place (despite being widely popular in my view) which is essential to succeed in our setup and which other political players enjoy. This is not the case in many other countries in the world where one man’s popularity and ability can make a huge difference (US and France for example). See that’s difference between a good candidate and a candidate who can win you seats. IK has proved in recent years that he can win too. I haven’t voted for IK myself since 1997 because I don’t think his party can win more than 2 seats in the system we have but I think he will be a force in next elections (my personal opinion). But all these arguments don’t make NS or Zardari viable candidates and IK not so viable (in principle). If we go by your viability theory then IK should have taken the offers made by NS and Musharraf (big names that you mention would have followed automatically) but in that case he would have become part of what wants to change. So its probably not about IK’s viability but more to do with the setup/system in place.
I also disagree with your Aitzaz Ahsen point (though I like him). I don’t think it was mainly Aitzaz Ahsen, his team or the principles they stood for that got CJ reinstated. They were important but in my view the support of political parties (PPP/PML-N…and obviously they were doing it in their political interest and not for some principles) and media were the main factors behind the initial success of lawyers movement which led to CJ to reinstatement. Most people across Pakistan still support CJ and lawyers movement, don’t they? Its based on principles, have popular support but what exactly is the result? The re-appointment of judges in a manner which violates the very basic principles of lawyers movement and CJ would probably never be restored. The reality is that Hameed Dogar is Chief Justice so which principles are we talking about here? The only good thing Aitzaz Ahsan and the lawyers movement has achieved is the awareness among masses.
I am also surprised that you have given examples of Hoodbhoy (quite an extreme example, besides.. he is way too polite), Eidhi and Asma (no matter how smart they are) as charisma is one thing they don’t even fall in leaders category by any definition. Eidhi also tried his luck in politics without any success.
I agree with most of the points you are making (political player and establishing a party) here but I just don’t think it is fair to apply them in current Pakistani scenario. If we were talking about US or UK, I would have agreed with most of your points about political players but the problem is that we are not a democracy. Not yet. We can’t even say for sure that the kind of democracy we are trying to promote here in Pakistan actually suits us but of course, that’s a different debate. Like they say, let’s just wait and see what happens and reserve our judgements.
Darwish,
If we premise it on IF he gets a chance, then we can say the same for many professionals in Pakistan who have distinguished themselves–IF they get the chance, they may deliver. The trouble is that the chance needs to be created, it is not given out on a platter to people–that’s politics for you–in any country.
To say that he will be better than Zardari, NS, the military is all well and good–so would many others–but are they viable candidates–it is the viability that I was questioning.
The viability is created by becoming a political player. I also don’t agree that the main reason for this is that “considering the political setup we have, it is impossible for anyone else with moral principles and values to achieve anything significant even if they have people’s support.”
This may be one factor, but it is not the main factor, as Aitzaz Ahsan and his team have demonstrated. They managed to get the CJ reinstated once–that was huge–it happened with principles and with the support of the people.
IK’s achievements, on the other hand, do not show that he has massive support among the people or a team of intelligentsia. What they do show is that he is good at philanthropic ventures–that is where his strength lies.
That was my point. If we were to start handing out chances to people–then why only IK? Why not Pervez Hoodbhoy or Asma Jehangir or Edhi? All those people have a lot to their credit too. IK needs to distinguish himself by creating a viable political party, which he has been unable to do–so in my mind, he stands at the same level as any of the other people in Pakistan who have contributed to society at various levels, but are not political players, because they may win one seat in the assembly.
These arguments are very similar to what Ralph Nader’s supporters keep going on about. Nader is a great guy–in fact, I would argue that he is a more viable candidate than IK even, but because he is not a big political player–he has been a presidential candidate for the last many years, has a die-hard fan club, but cannot make a political difference.
Ayesha wrote:
I think PTI runs more like a fan club than a political party–it does not have any big names (and I don’t necessarily mean old politicians but noteworthy scientists, lawyers, doctors–anybody with name recognition)–which would be essential for a viable party.
:) … as much as I would like to agree with you and others with similar views, I also think IK might surprise most IF (and that’s a very big IF) he ever gets a chance. Well, he proved everybody wrong on several occasions. Forget the world cup but who thought SKMT would be what it is today? and now this Namal College? But here they are.
I think many people, if possible, would go against logic and all the practicalities you guys are talking about and bring him in power despite all the faults, IFs and Buts surrounding him and his party. Hey, what could be worse than the military rules, the Zaradaris, Sharifs and Chaudharies imposed on us (and their sons and daughters in coming years)?
Having said all that, considering the political setup we have, it is impossible for anyone else with moral principles and values to achieve anything significant even if they have people’s support.
I’ve come across this post a bit late and in a search for something else, stumbled upon it. Reading the comments, I agree that it is a big achievement on the part of IK to deliver this, but in terms of him being a viable alternative, I would have to agree with the prescient analysis of Babar and Niaz earlier.
IK has to his credit the victory of the Pak Cricket Team, SKMT, and now Namal College, but his political decisions (in the five years he has spent in Parliament) were often faulty.
He voted for Fazlur Rehman as PM in 2002. He opposed the Women Protection Bill, to name a couple. In addition, he cannot be an alternative to Nawaz Sharif or some other political big wig because he has failed to build a team. Until he has the requisite numbers in Parliament, under a parliamentary system, he is not a viable candidate for PM so until he is able to do that (and he has not been able to in 12 years–a really long time in politics).
I also agree with Babar about him being a divisive figure who always has a maximalist position. His strengths clearly lie elsewhere and he may be best for Pakistan if he focuses exclusively in that area, much as Abdus Sattar Edhi or other philanthropists in Pakistan have done.
I just don’t see PTI becoming a major player politically–even if they win 10 seats in the provincial assembly and five in the NA (a very big stretch–but let’s just say for argument’s sake)–it will still be a very minor player–smaller than not just PPP and PML-N, but also ANP, MQM, etc.
I think PTI runs more like a fan club than a political party–it does not have any big names (and I don’t necessarily mean old politicians but noteworthy scientists, lawyers, doctors–anybody with name recognition)–which would be essential for a viable party. IK is all in all–and great as he may be, that is just not how you become a big political player in a democracy–you need massive support from others who are politically active–this is the case not just in Pakistan but elsewhere too.
Obama would never have gotten where he is without the support of other key big political players–like John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, etc. IK has just not cultivated that–which is why I say he is running PTI more like a fan club than a political party.
Mr. Imran Khan is that person who always want to see Pakistan as prosperous and bright country in the world. He has a very wide vision in our present leadership. He is straight forward and true one . He has done a lot for Pakistan ( such as world cup, Cancer Hospital, now this international level college). Thanks Imran and hope one day Pakistani nation will reward your these excellent activities and offer you their leadership for Pakistan. Best wishes and good luck. Dr. Javed Saggu (Physics)
Its a great job done by Imran Khan, he is setting high standards for his opponents, he really want to change the fate to ummah dont loose this lad, support him by donation, now real Pakistani will come forward becasue they will get quality education
Its a big event specifically for one of the poorest districts of Pakistan and generally for the whole Nation. Imran has followed the foot marks left by our forefathers in the arena of public service. According to historians, under Mogul rule India had more than 30% of all it’s urban and rural properties owned and operated by ‘Waqfs’ and manifested themselves as hospitals, schools, hotels, mosques…built bridges,water reservoirs etc. World has seldom seen such level of charitable institutions blossoming in a society. We had forgotten our glorious past. Khan is trying to redeem that lost tradition. All the power to him!!!