Located in Punjab’s Jalandhar, a crowded Basti Danishmanda is elated by Imran Khan’s victory in Pakistan polls. It is because his mother’s parental home is in this area and she was born in the locality. Khan has visited the place several times, and his last visit was four years ago.
He was quite emotional during this particular trip to his maternal grandparents’ house. His family’s painful memories of partition were only refreshed by visiting the place once again. Even Pakistan’s President Mamoon Hussain has a connection with India as he was born on December 23, 1940, in Agra. He migrated to Pakistan in 1949 after the partition. He has since once visited the city of Taj Mahal.
Now, Pakistan’s PM-in-waiting Imran Khan’s link has also been confirmed with his Nanihaal in Jalandhar. His strong family connection with India through his mother’s side is unquestionable. Though his mother Shaukat Khanum is no more, her colonial-size home still stands majestically in Jalandhar.
It is no longer in its pristine glory, but the old, yellow-washed building with its distinct structural design still exists in India’s border state. His mother had a major role in founding Jalandhar’s Islamia College in the 1940s and is still fondly remembered by the people of the city.
Once Imran Khan had said that his ancestors were based out of Jalandhar for over 600 years before partition in 1947. His last visit somehow demonstrated that he still has a high regard for the place.