Imran Khan seems to have remembered his old friends. The word is that he has sent a message saying that once he is released, the first place he will go is Akbar S. Babar’s home.

Perhaps the old friends will return. The real question, however, is this: will the old Imran Khan return too?

It is not just Akbar S. Babar. How many decent and sincere people, like Justice Wajihuddin, came into his life, only to find that Imran preferred opportunists, self-seekers and dubious characters over those who approached him with genuine sincerity?

I am reminded of Naveed Khan as well. He was one of Imran Khan’s friends in the early days. Later, when filthy, corrupt and opportunistic characters began making their way into the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Naveed was deeply hurt.

Imran would often say, “Look, even if everyone else leaves me, Naveed and I will continue this struggle.”

One day, Naveed finally lost his patience. In a gathering, he interrupted Imran and said:

“Imran, these are the very people we once said should be hanged from lampposts. And now you have hung PTI from their ambitions.”

Only Naveed Khan could speak to Imran in that tone.

Once, Imran called from Britain. An employee had vandalised the office, and Imran asked Naveed to look into the matter.

Naveed........

© The Patriot