Imran Khan or Jibran Nasir: who got their anthem right?

KARACHI: The elections are upon us and so are two official anthems from two candidates. While there can be no comparison between Imran Khan, who’s running for the Prime Minister’s seat with the weight of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), behind him, and Jibran Nasir, who is contesting for a National Assembly seat as an independent candidate, both candidates coincidentally released their anthems on the same day and that’s why we’re comparing the two.

Sung by Farhan Saeed and directed by Murtaza Marri, Khan’s anthem, titled ‘Ab Sirf Imran Khan‘ seems like it is made just for him, not his entire party. The video features various shots of the country and of Khan and his jalsas. The song’s lyrics talk about Khan’s vision to offer affordable healthcare for all, ensuring everyone’s rights and to eliminate homelessness, hunger and unemployment. The song also sheds light on the external debt of the country; apparently Pakistan has seen an increase of 47% of foreign debt in the last four years.

Technically, the video and song are very weak. Considering that this is the party’s official anthem, the song isn’t energetic enough. Visually, it’s comes across that the video has been made using archival footage, and because of that, it doesn’t have a strong impact. It fails to make a statement, or offer anything new.

All it says is ab sirf Imran Khan. Forget about the rest of his party (it’s almost like he’s an independent candidate)

Jibran Nasir’s anthem, titled ‘Hum Mein Se Aik‘, which is also his campaign slogan, has been directed by film-maker Jami and sung by various artists, such as Arieb Azhar, Natasha Baig, Shahram, Ali Safeer and Ahsan Bari, who has also composed the song. The video features several well known names from the entertainment industry, such as Mira Sethi, Mansha Pasha, Adnan Malik, Sanam Saeed, Mooroo, Faiza Saleem, Osman Khalid Butt, Sarmad Khoosat, Anoushey Ashraf, Dino; several activists, namely Khadija Siddiqui, Kami Sid, Afia Salam and Nasir Mansoor amongst others, as well as the Special Olympic athletes.

The video also includes images of Mashal Khan, Shahzeb Khan and Naqeebullah Mehsud among others. What this symbolises is Nasir’s fight for the downtrodden, the underdogs. The song talks about inclusion of religious minorities and harmony between Hindus and Muslims, for instance. It also talks about the importance of trans rights and supporting those with disabilities; everything he has stood for all these years.

It also helps that visually, the video is stunning. Brilliant edits and graphics as well. ‘Hum Mein Se Aik’ definitely sounds like an anthem and not a romantic ballad.

Sorry Imran Khan, but Jibran Nasir won this round.