Daily Times

Imran Khan has an accident, bleeds profusely, and the outpouring of shock, grief and sympathy reiterates a simple fact: in times of pain, when it involves a national tragedy, or a national hero, notwithstanding opposition, Pakistan stands united. In an unfortunate event, Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on a whirlwind tour of Lahore, where he reportedly had 17 rallies to address, met with an accident as he went up a makeshift wooden lift. The space was limited, the structure was apparently flimsy, and there were too many people on it, mostly Khan’s guards, one of whom accidently collided with him, making him lose his balance and he fell off the height of almost 20 feet on a steel girdle, along with three of his guards. The onlookers, the audience watching via television cameras, and the thousands getting the news on social media (twitter, facebook) went into a state of stunned shock as the image of an almost unconscious Khan, head bleeding in two places, small cuts across the face, and blood gushing from the head injuries hit the airwaves. The response was unanimous, cutting across political and personal differences, highlighting the stature of Khan as one of the biggest names in Pakistan as a sports hero, philanthropist and an international celebrity, who despite his political differences with many, remains probably the most recognised name in the country.

All noted leaders belonging to the mainstream political and religious parties expressed their concern and sympathy for the injured Khan, echoing in unison that certain events do not require relations to be cordial and viewpoints similar for a sentiment to be felt. Mian Nawaz Sharif, Chairman of the PML-N, showing respect for his archrival in Punjab and the grief-stricken emotion of the PTI supporters, called off all election campaigning in Lahore today. Mian Shahbaz Sharif, the former chief minister of Punjab, paid a visit to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, where Khan is being treated. President Asif Zardari sent flowers, and wished Khan a quick recovery. Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Altaf Hussian in a show of respect for Khan stopped his telephonic address midway, from London, to his party members in Karachi. Throughout Pakistan, the response was identical, and it was heartening to see how in a time of crisis, all that matters is the common thread of humanity, which is stronger than any divisions caused by religious or political stances, based on our deep cultural ethos of being there for one another in times of need.

The shoddy lift, the lack of training of Khan’s security detail, the unprofessional handling of Khan’s bleeding body to be taken to the nearby hospital are all factors that need to be looked into, and a full, professional investigation must be carried out (to allay the concern of many who smell foul play in action here). The harsh criticism by the political rivals after the airing of Khan’s televised interview from his bed in the ICU, used as paid content by the PTI, is unfair, to say the least. The simple thing to remember here is that the accident took place amidst a very hectic, very busy campaigning tour, four days before the election on May 11, and Khan being the face of the PTI, needed to be in contact with the public at large, relying on audio/video facilities to send his messages across to his supporters and the untapped vote bank, notwithstanding the shortage of time now. His message from the hospital was heartfelt because that is all it was: the words of an injured, tired man doing his best to make his voice heard before the Election Day.

The accident of Imran Khan and the image of his blood-spattered face was a painful reminder to Pakistanis how many popular leaders we have lost to untimely deaths, and a Pakistan in the throes of mayhem perpetuated by the militant and extremists groups does not need an event, even an accidental one, to expose the fragility of one basic thing in Pakistan: life.

Get well soon, Mr Khan, Pakistan prays for you. *