LONDON: Renowned British-Pakistani philanthropist Iqbal Latif has appealed to overseas Pakistanis to help master batsman Younis Khan in his future plans for the grassroots development of Pakistan through charitable work across the board.
At an event organised here to pay tribute to services of Younis Khan for cricket in Pakistan, Iqbal Latif said that Younis Khan was a man of dignity and character. “He has made 10K runs and brought fame to Pakistan. I meet sports stars all the time but I have never met anyone as humble, down-to-earth and sincere at heart as Younis Khan. He is an extraordinary human being who has the interest of Pakistan at heart and doesn’t seek anything in return.”
He said that Younis Khan will be supported in his future plans and his drive for promotion of sports and education are much needed in the country because of lack of investment by the governments in these areas. Iqbal Latif appealed to overseas Pakistanis to support Younis Khan’s work. He said that Younis Khan doesn’t want to limit himself to just one or two projects but has a generic approach towards the issues facing Pakistan.
Younis Khan told Geo News that he wanted to spend the rest of his life serving needy and the poor in Pakistan. “There is so much need in Pakistan. I don’t want to work in just one particular area, I want to reach out to everyone and will help everyone where I can be of help. We have to make Pakistan in line with the vision of Allama Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah and that will be real Naya Pakistan.”
The recently retired batsman opined that he was proud to become Pakistan’s first Test batsman to cross 10,000-run mark, adding that playing for Pakistan was honour and priviledge for him. He said Pakistan has produced some of the best cricketers and he would like thousands of new Younis Khans to make Pakistan proud. He said that he has no intention of getting into politics.