By: Farzana Ali Khan
ISLAMABAD:A stone is broken by the last stroke of hammer but it doesn’t mean that the first stroke was useless. Success is the result of continuous efforts. Today, when the Kohsar University has come into being for a population of around three million; modern social media users perhaps have forgot the real architect of this idea. If we look at the past of this movement, we will find that the master mind behind the idea of Kohsar University was one and only Hanan Ali Abbasi. His plan was linked with very emotional story of his father who put his best efforts for establishment of first ever Kohsar college in this area 30 years ago but unfortunately he was not successful at that time and suffered emotionally and financially along with his family. Keeping his father dream in mind Mr. Hanan portrait unaccomplished wish of his father and turned that dream of college into an idea of university by starting a very effective and modern media campaign at national level. The movement began with an article of Hanan Ali Abbasi in an Urdu national newspaper of Pakistan 12 Years before. Through his campaign, he captivated the attention of the legislators through TV talk shows, public gatherings, seminars and wall chalking. He highlighted that a university for the area with beautiful weather, geography and landscape of Murree, District Bagh and Abbottabad can be the symbol of educational friendship and harmony between Kashmir, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Local MNA Sadaqat Abbasi in particular was very supportive of the movement during last three years. Pioneer vice Chancellor of the Kohsar University, Dr Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi and his team is building future of the area by strong stones of education. Surprisingly, ten years ago, Hanan Ali Abbasi’s prediction about the university dream on national television turned into reality today.
Hanan and his family have a legacy of love with education. In 1905, the first government primary school in the history of 90 villages was established in his familial home. The school was originally the residence of the late grandfather, of Mr. Hanan Ali Abbasi, Mr. Ali Haider Khan, who volunteered his house for six decades for the school and hostel in order to spread the light of education in the area. The success of an organized youth national campaign proves that success can follow the footsteps of the younger generation if they are hopeful.It merit mentions that Mr. Hanan Ali Abbasi is a multidimensional Youth icon of Pakistan. His services have been highly recognized by Pakistani nation and across the globe, particularly by the Commonwealth International Secretariat London from where he received the credible Youth Award of 54 Commonwealth countries.
Mr. Abbasi is a Gold Medalist from NPC and holder of highest Youth Award of Pakistan – National Youth Award 2010 by State of Pakistan. Mr. Hanan represented Pakistan in United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Turkey, UAE, Srilanka, Iran, Sudan, and Azerbaijan as a state guest. He is a unique talent digger, who pioneered “National Youth Assembly of Pakistan, which has become a true national platform for youth outreaching over hundred districts and numerous Pakistani universities. Over sixty District Administrations of the country have formally supported the NYA as direct executing partners. Before devoting his life for youth he was a Journalist and promoted literature among youth by writing three famous books and more than 300 research based articles in leading newspapers. Mr. Abbasi introduced a unique modern approach to promote literacy, through video documentaries and motivational music to influence his own widespread social media following. Government of Pakistan declared him “National Young Book Ambassador”.
He also got fame as a radio broadcaster and television presenter. Hanan has participated in more than 400 national/international TV shows and consistently invested his energies into motivating, resourcing, and equipping young leaders for their bright future. More than 35 top-notch universities of Pakistan have invited Mr. Hanan Abbasi as a highly motivated and ambitious individual who is using all modern tools of communication such as Youtube, facebook and twitter to prepare a peaceful family of global leaders.
Since the creation of the country, youth had never been valued properly as they deserved. Youth was a tool to manipulate the political ends but was never given a chance to have their role in the decision making process of the country. In order to fill this vacuum of youth representation Hanan Ali Abbasi came up with the idea to gather the youth at a common platform and encouraged them to speak out.
Today, because of his tireless efforts he is the pioneer of nation-wide recognized, youth-led model parliament; National Youth Assembly (NYA). The National Youth Assembly is designed to develop talented, ambitious people and help them grow to their full potential.