Rising Star (Daily Dawn- Hanan Ali Abbasi)

Daily Dawn-Sunday 27th February 2011

Twenty-four-year old Hanan Ali Abbasi began his journalistic career at the age of 17, and covered National Assembly proceedings, political developments, general elections and the judicial movement. He also worked as a freelance Urdu columnist for many national daily newspapers and wrote a book, Zameeni sitaray. Abbasi visited the UK with the youth parliamentarian delegation, and has also been the state guest of the Chinese government. He became the youngest journalist ever to be awarded the ‘Pak-UK excellence award’ and was honoured with the ‘National youth award’ as well. Currently, Abbasi is the chairman of the Youth Senate Pakistan.

• You started your journalistic endeavors at a very young age. What was it that attracted you to this field”?

There were many reasons, but primarily it was the importance of the media for public representation. I became a journalist because I wanted to understand the story behind every story. I may not be able to change the world, but at least I can contribute at some level. During my college life I studied biographies in order to better understand how journalists achieved their successful careers. My interest and passion with words and storytelling helped me. I knew that as a journalist I could work in various fields—foreign affairs, politics, sport, news, literature, etc.

• What is the role of the media in present-day Pakistan?

The responsibility of Pakistani media is far greater than any other media source in the world. Pakistan needs a big change and the media can become an agent of change, especially because it is easily accessible to the public. Media should take care of national interest, culture and tolerance. The effort should be focused on supporting the national image rather than highlighting the harmful and depressing news.

• What is the importance and the functions of the Youth Senate?

Youth Senate Pakistan is a mock legislative council. It’s a politically independent and leading youth forum for future leaders as a mock senate, aspiring to promote leadership and new community-based developmental concepts. YSP provides an ideal environment to the youth of Pakistan that enable them to understand the functioning of national legislative bodies, political campaigns, media strategies, action programmes, and other public welfare tasks. Led by former youth parliamentarian and national achievers, YSP aims at involving youth in meaningful experiences. Our 15 youth ambassadors from different countries, 35 youth senators and 500 district members are working together to encourage young people to play their part in the leadership process. The Youth Senate will play its vital role in producing young leaders with energetic and revolutionary spirit. You wrote a book, Zameeni sitaray, that has been distributed by the government in schools in the Abottabad and Mansehra districts.

• What is the content of the book?

Zameeni sitaray (Stars on Earth) is a group of short biographies of 50 living luminous personalities who are regarded as commanding individuals in different walks of life. It is a combination of inspiring and missionary stories, shaped and compiled in a 200-page book. Each story represents exceptional struggle of prominent personalities, how they began their journey of life, faced harsh impenetrability but were successful. What would you consider as your most important achievement? All my achievements are equally valued, but if asked, then my greatest achievement would be the success of Youth Senate, where hundreds of talented Pakistanis are united for a brighter tomorrow.