Addressing youth: Imran exhorts youth to think big

Says he overcame many obstacles in life, and one needs to push ahead every time

ISLAMABAD: The head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Thursday called upon young Pakistanis to think big and never compromise on their goal, reminding them of his own life struggle replete with challenges.

Addressing students from different colleges and universities at D-Chowk, he asserted that he had no plans of winding up the sit-ins unless the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns.



Taking a break from his usual political rhetoric, he devoted his speech on describing the virtues of character building and illustrated the theme by quoting examples from Islamic history and his personal experiences.

“The secret of success lies in how you carry yourself when there is bad time [in your life] and it all depends upon not accepting the defeat, and Allah gives you the power when you do this,” the PTI chairman said. “People made fun of me when I was thrown out of the team, but I made my comeback and same critics started praising me,” he added.

Afterwards, he said, winning the cricket world cup was his next destination but critics again raised eyebrows. After it was won, people said it was impossible to build a cancer hospital, but he affirmed he was successful in making the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. Similar was the case when laying the foundation of the PTI, he added.

Khan said starting a political career was the most difficult task as I was going to raise voice against giants who have historically supported each other to safeguard their interests. “PTI is the first political party which raised voice against corrupt politicians,” he added.

“Think big and never compromise on your goals,” Khan said, adding that the youth is an asset of the nation. He declared he would “not return without the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif till my last breath.”

While justifying his party’s sit-in, Khan said that the PTI had availed every legal option to point out rigging in the 2013 general elections but its grievances were never addressed.

Addressing the youth, the PTI chairman discussed the state of the country’s affairs and pointed out rampant corruption in the system. He said that imports of the country exceeded exports due to the power shortage this country faces.

Talking about the education sector, Khan lamented that at least 40 percent girls and 20 percent boys were still out of schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2014.