Americans, as a nation, deserve to be the world’s leaders not only because of their vastness or resources but also because of their diversity and dedication. There may be many unsung heroes because our media is focused on harping the narratives that a state develops, oblivion to the contributions of those who run the state with their sweat and blood.
This is a story of a Pakistani-American citizen, Ibrahim Khan, who had immense contributions to the American economy due to his accomplishments as a businessman. Ibrahim Khan is not only a proud American citizen today but his son, Yousaf Khan, is also a brilliant investment professional working with one of the world’s leading investment firms .
His father, Ibrahim Khan, worked round the clock to ensure not only the prosperity of his country of immigration but also to ensure his children received the very best education, of which this award-winning ceremony is a testament. What makes Ibrahim Khan stand out as a human being amongst the thousands of wealthy people that I know is that he earned not for himself but for others, whether they be his employees, extended family, friends, acquaintances, or anyone who reached out to him for help.
I am honored to have known this humble human being. Once the residents of Swat became internally displaced, he was incidentally visiting Pakistan, and it was through the courtesy of his brother, Sharafat Khan, that I came to know him.Though he was an accomplished businessman running a chain of successful ventures in New York, his humility and simplicity won my heart.
A day unfortunately came in my life when I needed help, not for myself but for my family, once Margalla Tower collapsed in our immediate neighborhood due to a massive earthquake in which many lives were lost and trapped alive. It was through the efforts of the international rescue team, particularly the British, who through their untiring efforts extended over weeks, rescued the helpless residents, particularly the elderly. A real-life BBC documentary was shot on this particular rescue mission that sends chills down one’s spine, depicting the helplessness and our lack of preparedness to face natural disasters.
As the aftershocks continued, my fear turned into anxiety and paranoia, visualizing a similar scenario of my elderly parents being trapped while the rescuers sent down voices below the debris to ascertain if there was any life beneath the collapsed structure. Troubled by frequent nightmares, I decided to immediately buy a house. The compulsive decision to buy a house was constrained by my financial resources. I had no option but to reach out to family and friends, and most turned out to be disappointing , rightly so, as in our part of the world, a debt is seldom paid back.
I half-heartedly reached out to Ibrahim Khan, and he not only assured me help but also ensured to keep his word and transferred me the amount without any undertaking or demand to pledge any collateral. Ethically, legally, and morally, it was his right, as to me, he was just an acquaintance and neither a family nor a lifelong friend. Though I returned the owed amount to him, I am unable to ever repay him for his trust.
Both America and the firm that employs his brilliant son today are lucky to have invested their trust in the right people, who are there not only to earn for America but also to help anyone in need. If the axiom “a friend in need is a friend indeed” is what defines friendship, it perfectly fits him. Thank you, Ibrahim Khan, you are a quadrillion at heart, if not in purse.
