Mukarram isn’t special. He is exceptional!
I wasn’t impressed at all when I first saw this teenager sitting next to Hafeezur Rehman in chief minister office. It was prominently published by a local newspaper in its Gilgit-Baltistan edition some three years back. 1/
I wasn’t impressed at all when I first saw this teenager sitting next to Hafeezur Rehman in chief minister office. It was prominently published by a local newspaper in its Gilgit-Baltistan edition some three years back. 1/
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I read the caption and got to know this teenager was Mukarram, son of Eman Shah, our colleague who is editor daily Ausaf.
Its nothing new in our society, you can do wonders if you’re connected to high-ups,” I thought to myself.
I read the caption and got to know this teenager was Mukarram, son of Eman Shah, our colleague who is editor daily Ausaf.
Its nothing new in our society, you can do wonders if you’re connected to high-ups,” I thought to myself.
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As time went on, I received a friend request one day from Mukarram some two years later. I went through his profile cursorily as I used to do before accepting his request. He sent me a direct message and introduced himself with reference to Eman Shah.
As time went on, I received a friend request one day from Mukarram some two years later. I went through his profile cursorily as I used to do before accepting his request. He sent me a direct message and introduced himself with reference to Eman Shah.
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“Shabbir bhai I’m an ardent reader of your write up and posts,” Mukarram inboxed me.
“Is there any way we can meet,” he further said.
“I’m in Islamabad and will love to meet you when I’m in back. You are dear to me because you are Shah sb son,” I replied.
“Shabbir bhai I’m an ardent reader of your write up and posts,” Mukarram inboxed me.
“Is there any way we can meet,” he further said.
“I’m in Islamabad and will love to meet you when I’m in back. You are dear to me because you are Shah sb son,” I replied.
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We exchanged some other words before signing off. By then I wasn’t aware if Mukarram was a special child and that a mysterious disease had actually pushed him into a bed-ridden life over the years.
As time passed by, we got back into routine and meeting Mukarram remained
We exchanged some other words before signing off. By then I wasn’t aware if Mukarram was a special child and that a mysterious disease had actually pushed him into a bed-ridden life over the years.
As time passed by, we got back into routine and meeting Mukarram remained
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a dream unfulfilled. Almost six months back I came to know though a friend about physical disability and the mysterious disease of 16 years old Mukarram. I was also told how intelligent and courageous Mukarram was, and also his parents. I was shocked, speechless.
a dream unfulfilled. Almost six months back I came to know though a friend about physical disability and the mysterious disease of 16 years old Mukarram. I was also told how intelligent and courageous Mukarram was, and also his parents. I was shocked, speechless.
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I started feeling heat of emotions his parents might be going through over these long years. My interaction with Mukarram increased recently after his father Eman Shah was being considered initially for caretaker CM and then a minister. Mukarram would ask me for updates!
I started feeling heat of emotions his parents might be going through over these long years. My interaction with Mukarram increased recently after his father Eman Shah was being considered initially for caretaker CM and then a minister. Mukarram would ask me for updates!
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Last week I and Mukarram decided to meet again. This time it happened, thanks to Mujeeb who facilitated this and we spent some moments together.
“Shabbir bhai I was really anxious to meet you,” Mukarram said as I approached the car where Mujeeb
Last week I and Mukarram decided to meet again. This time it happened, thanks to Mujeeb who facilitated this and we spent some moments together.
“Shabbir bhai I was really anxious to meet you,” Mukarram said as I approached the car where Mujeeb
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and Amin were already seated with him. We didn’t shook hands to ensure we follow SoPs for social distancing in times of covid19.
Mukarram did most of the talking as if we were old friends. He was confident and comfortable. The topic of discussion naturally turned to politics
and Amin were already seated with him. We didn’t shook hands to ensure we follow SoPs for social distancing in times of covid19.
Mukarram did most of the talking as if we were old friends. He was confident and comfortable. The topic of discussion naturally turned to politics
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I couldn’t but appreciate the understanding and political maturity of a 16 years old boy who had been physically cut off from rest of his classmates and friends. Interestingly he held political views opposite to his father. “I disagree with Shah sb but he doesn’t mind it,”
I couldn’t but appreciate the understanding and political maturity of a 16 years old boy who had been physically cut off from rest of his classmates and friends. Interestingly he held political views opposite to his father. “I disagree with Shah sb but he doesn’t mind it,”
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Mukarram smiled.
“What would expect you of a country to behave when you have immature {politicians} running the country and journalists spearheading media?” he asked as we looked to each other.
I was interested in knowing about how he managed to have such clarity of
Mukarram smiled.
“What would expect you of a country to behave when you have immature {politicians} running the country and journalists spearheading media?” he asked as we looked to each other.
I was interested in knowing about how he managed to have such clarity of
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thoughts that even seasoned politicians lacked in our hometown. “I am active in social media and I like politics,” he said when I asked. He told us about his meetings with Hafeezur Rehman whom he loved so much.
Due to closure of hotels in Corono, we had no option
thoughts that even seasoned politicians lacked in our hometown. “I am active in social media and I like politics,” he said when I asked. He told us about his meetings with Hafeezur Rehman whom he loved so much.
Due to closure of hotels in Corono, we had no option
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other than staying inside the car to have a soft drink. Mujeeb would continuously help Mukarram adjust his position as he wasn’t able to move his feet, legs etc. But his gigantic courage completely overshowed his physical disability-something unimaginable in his tender age!
other than staying inside the car to have a soft drink. Mujeeb would continuously help Mukarram adjust his position as he wasn’t able to move his feet, legs etc. But his gigantic courage completely overshowed his physical disability-something unimaginable in his tender age!
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Before we said goodbye to each other, Mukarram reminded me about much needed selfie. I felt honoured to spend some moments with Mukarram.
As I returned I was thinking Mukarram was not special. He was exception. I asked myself if kids like Mukarram didn’t deserve much more
Before we said goodbye to each other, Mukarram reminded me about much needed selfie. I felt honoured to spend some moments with Mukarram.
As I returned I was thinking Mukarram was not special. He was exception. I asked myself if kids like Mukarram didn’t deserve much more
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than what we as a society been offering to them!
than what we as a society been offering to them!
@threadreaderapp please
