By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Despite his versatile personality London based Frank Huzur is a core Indian at heart. Strongly attached to his roots, Frank is now an established writer, poet and journalist. Hailing from Buxar in Bihar, Frank is in news after his book, Imran Vs Imran — the untold story, hit the stand. Getting good response the book is a biographical account of legendary Pakistani cricketer turned politician Imran Khan. Khan’s life which has so far concealed more than revealing is well described by Frank. During the research for his book, Frank made several visits to Pakistan visiting Lahore, Islamabad and Imran’s native place Miawali. This brought him close to the people on the other side of the border. TwoCircles.net had a brief conversation with him when Frank visited Lucknow working on his next book, an account of a socialist politician in India.
Your book Imran Vs Imran is already receiving good response and reaction both from critics and masses. How did you get glued to Imran as a potential for your work?
My fascination with Imran started during the semifinal match of the cricket world cup in 1987. Playing against Australia, at Gaddafi stadium Lahore, Pakistan lost by 18 runs. I watched the match on TV and noticed the frenzy in the stadium. Half of the stands were packed with girls and they were singing chalte chalte…as it was Imran’s last match. Australia won the match but Imran won hearts. He was gifted a special prize, a car which the large hearted Khan gave to his teammate Abdul Qadir. It reflected his character and personality and I too became an ardent follower.
Writer Frank Huzur
How did your first meeting with Imran Khan materialize and what was the response?
It was in 2006 when Imran arrived in New Delhi as part of a Pakistani delegation. I was working as a writer and therefore planned to meet him for an interview. After meeting some contacts finally I persuaded for a meeting and took his first interview in Delhi. The meeting also initiated a new relationship with him which grew stronger with passage of times.
And you went to Pakistan thereafter….
Yes in 2007 I was there in Lahore to attend the World Performing Arts Festival. There interaction with people, artists, journalists, writers and others further enhanced my association with Imran. I have visited Pakistan eight times since then and have been to Miawali, the native place of Imran, Lahore and other parts of the country. There I had a chance again to meet him and finally after some persuasion he agreed to give me permission to write a book on him which is now the first authorized biographical account of his life.
But Imran is considered a failure in politics…
May be as he could not break much ground with his party Tehrik-e-Insaf. He won from Miawali in October 2002 defeating an erstwhile ruler there but since then he could not make it to parliament. He is still the most popular voice outside the parliament. There is a pressure group which is making all out efforts that he does not reach parliament. When his party was enjoying good support among the masses, he decided not to contest the elections and later fared badly in polls which are now treated as rigged. He had mentioned before the results that he is set to lose from all the constituencies he had contested due to rigging. He still holds charisma and has the unique instinct of picking up the right issue at the right time. He won the cricket world cup for his country, got a state of art Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center as his wish and he will surely get what he aims in politics.
The politicians in Pakistan are not so enthusiastic about Imran’s political career. They still treat him a novice despite over a decade and half he made his foray in politics.
There are some politicians who are against Imran in his own country. They launch personalized attacks on him. His family life was ruined with controversies as love child (which he denied), marriage with Jemima etc. Nawaz Sharif another politician never sees eye to eye with Imran Khan. Sharif was also a small time cricketer and wanted to use it as a platform for ticket to fame but he fared badly. There are differences and they have taken heavy toll on Imran’s life.
His marriage with Jemima Goldsmith, what do you say about that relationship?
I had met Jemima also during the research work for my book. Both of them are now separated. Jemima lives in London with their children. Imran visits his children. During my chat with Jemima she categorically mentioned: “People are not realizing the power of Imran.” It sums up the high regards and feelings between the two individuals.
Frank Huzur with Imran Khan in Lahore
Besides the book, since you are frequent traveler to Pakistan and have seen it from close quarter, what do you think about the country plagued with terrorism and attacks etc… Please describe their perception about India as a whole.
Yes, Pakistan is in trouble these days. The people there are having hard times but I believe that bad times do not last long. The people of Pakistan have the ability to bounce back, they will overcome this tumultuous phase. They have talent and ability for doing this and they realize that they are being hit from all sides both internally and externally. I have been witness to many disturbing events in Pakistan and interacted with their various leaders. I met Benazir Bhutto on November 4, 2007 and had a detailed interview and discussion over this and recently met Asif Ali Zardari in 2010. Problems are there but they hope to change the tide. Regarding India, the Pakistani people are more anti-US than anti-India. Majority of Pakistanis want to improve and have cordial relations with India. They want to live in peace with India and visit this country. They are a bit disappointed but hope that India should behave like an elder brother. There is radicalization in Pakistan but still youngsters are not growing beard and there are joints as KFC, McDonald and Hookah Bars. Journalists and people enjoy Bollywood movies as stress-busters.
What about India, your take on the country’s largest minority group – Muslims. What is their present status and future in the country?
The present status of Indian Muslims is evident in a number of reports of various commissions and enquiries. Recently there has been ‘dalitification’ of Indian Muslims. Certain forces have succeeded in driving the Muslim community to the status of scavengers in the society. However, there is still hope in India. The general Muslims on roads, the common Muslims as daily wagers etc. want their child to study, they want their right. It is heartening that they are determined about their future.
And what about your home state – Bihar.
Much has been written in recent times about development and changes in Bihar. I personally feel that there is much left to be done. Everything is not well in Bihar. The recent Forbesganj firing incident is an eye opener. It reflects the current situation in Bihar. Everything is not so rosy there.
Your future plans…
After this, my next book on Imran but that will be a novel—Imran Khan, the fighter will be on stands. Already things have been finalized for the UK edition. I plan to have their translation in other languages. The Urdu translation is already available in Pakistan. I intend for Hindi translation in India. And finally I want to settle in India where I can do my bit for my people, my country, my homeland.