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How Ahsan Khan and social media helped this homeless Pakistani find hope

How Ahsan Khan and social media helped this homeless Pakistani find hope

The celebrity succeeded in helping this man's story go viral, and offers to help poured in from across Pakistan
Updated 09 Jan, 2016

Yesterday a video began circulating that featured a very articulate older man telling actor Ahsan Khan his life story.

But this wasn't a segment on a TV show. Khan was out in about in Karachi when he spotted the man on the streets. He was homeless and destitute and had a sad story to tell, which Khan recorded on camera and proceeded to share on Facebook.

"I found him asking for help in a market in Phase 2 in Defence," says Khan to Images. "He said he's an educated guy from Lahore and his family deserted him. I wanted to help him."

The man in the video says: "I just need a job... anything in the office except for the computer, I don't know anything about computers! But.. an office assistant? Going to and fro, photocopies, telephone... anything like that."

He goes on to say that he lost his family in a car accident, after which he was deprived of his life savings.


"I feel that a lot of actors use social media to publicise themselves or bash political parties," says Ahsan Khan. "But I feel social media also has a huge positive side. We should do something for humanity."


Soon after the video went viral messages poured in from people who wanted to help the man by offering him work. "I am ready to offer him respectable employment so he feels dignified," said one commentator on social media. "Somebody please give him a job! He'd be excellent as a call operator," said another.

Khan reveals that several people reached out to the actor offering to help the homeless man. "I feel that a lot of actors use social media to publicise themselves or bash the political parties," he continues. "But I feel social media also has a huge positive side. We should do something for humanity."

It was IT solutions company Amtech Systems that gave the man an offer of employment and "warm accommodation."

And Ahsan Khan, in a follow-up Facebook post, couldn't believe his impromptu video helped turned this extraordinary man's life around:

'A bit of positivity goes a long way,' Ahsan Khan tells his followers
'A bit of positivity goes a long way,' Ahsan Khan tells his followers

What's more heartwarming than that?

Comments

faryal Jan 09, 2016 02:20pm
what can i do like to help these people?
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shuaib Jan 09, 2016 02:22pm
Great....respect for all who cared this man and those unsung who are always helping hands
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Muhammad Naeem Memon Jan 09, 2016 02:30pm
Feeling proud of Ahsan Khan for what he had hunted and spread all over the world. Hope he and his team continue searching such deserving, capable and grieved people who need little assistance which can change their destiny.
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shamrez Jan 09, 2016 02:32pm
amazing! Ahsan is a good actor but this time he won my heart because of this noble deed. I wish more actors become conscious of their moral responsibilities.
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Pk Jan 09, 2016 02:42pm
Saw him on tv, very relieved to know he's got a job.
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Adnan Jan 09, 2016 02:54pm
Thanks for highlighting the Aam aadmi problem.
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far Jan 09, 2016 02:59pm
Very good step. We should all help needy people around us. There are millions of such people in our country.
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ASAD Jan 09, 2016 03:06pm
you did great job. ALLAH give you reward
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Mani Jan 09, 2016 03:18pm
English language holds great value in Pakistan. Don't think there would have been the same amount of support had he narrated the his story in Urdu or Punjabi.
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SHAHID MAHMOOD Jan 09, 2016 03:25pm
@faryal We would have have to do it ourselves. OUR politicians are busy celibrating birthdays and making friends abroad. They are not going to do anthing now nor have they done it in the past.
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Civilian Jan 09, 2016 04:02pm
BRAVO Ahsan!!! I have always had a negative bias against you for various reasons but i'm glad to say today that you have flipped me over in your favour. Hats off and kudos to you for such a magnanimous act of kindness. May Allah always reward you for your kind intentions and for the purity of your heart. I would love to meet you some day!
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Dr Riffat Jabeen Jan 09, 2016 04:17pm
Shabash Ahsan! Good thinking. Excellent act. Actions speak louder than words. Well done. May Allah bless you.
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Ayub Aulia Jan 09, 2016 05:24pm
Welldone Ahsan! A noble gesture well rewarded!!! God bless!!! You uncle Ayub Aulia from London
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Zulfiqar Baig Jan 09, 2016 05:32pm
When I shared this video, huge number of people prayed for this man..May God give us courage to help such deserving people.
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Muhammad Saeed Jan 09, 2016 05:35pm
Excellent news! I saw the video yesterday and since then have been thinking about how to assist this Gentleman. I am glad some one as come forward to help. May Allah (swt) reward them for this great act of kindness - Ameen
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M.Saeed Jan 09, 2016 05:45pm
This is just one in a million case. But there are equally, millions of Ahsan Khans around, waiting to help without a mention in media! We are the most helping the poor nation of the world.
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Jamz Jan 09, 2016 05:54pm
I am amazed at how well the man speaks English. It is surreal how even skills can't help lift you out of joblessness.
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Syed Ahmed, Canada Jan 09, 2016 06:10pm
Wonderful Ahsan. May Allah SWT bless you.
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S. A. M. Jan 09, 2016 06:13pm
that's what I call an actor with a good heart. excellent job Ahsan
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Muhammad Ramzan Jan 09, 2016 06:44pm
WOW! incredible.
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Saeed Jan 09, 2016 06:51pm
Bright side of Pakistan and its people. bravo.
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Saeed Masood Jan 09, 2016 07:59pm
This all what Pakistan is about...what is needed is that the media both print and electronic now start giving the people of Pakistan some good news like this one...Pakistan is very good country we should come out of depression and live a healthy life...Ahsan Khan please continue this and get all the blessings in return...if every pakistani will light a candle like Ahsan Khan there will be so much light of happiness in our beloved Pakistan...
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Ehsan Jan 09, 2016 08:51pm
Education can provide better opportunity even if you are homeless
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Muhammad Irfan Jan 09, 2016 09:30pm
Ahsan Khan did a great job...kudos for him...!!
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Suman Patnaik Jan 09, 2016 09:44pm
A really commendable effort from the group interviewing him and the firm giving him a job to live in dignity. Hats off to everyone!! Good luck to the man. Feeling proud :)
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TKhan Jan 09, 2016 09:48pm
His English is certainly very impressive and he speaks convincingly. However, his alleged accusations against his family need to be verified. Not fair to have an opinion after hearing only one side of the story.
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shamrez Jan 09, 2016 10:20pm
@Mani That's true Mani. Thumbs up!!
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nisaques Jan 09, 2016 10:40pm
this is really amazing.
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javed qamer Jan 09, 2016 11:01pm
Wow. thank you Ahsan for bringing this homeless man to life. This is what life is all about helping others.
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dawn Jan 09, 2016 11:08pm
Our world-it is not what you know rather who you know. Our leaders cant match this gents skills in a foreign language! Thank you Ahsan Khan and the new employer.
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NOORANI Jan 09, 2016 11:24pm
Sometimes I wonder that when there are so many good people around how come miseries continue abound. Good job by the first observor,helping hands and all commentators for appreciating the noble work. May Allah accept!
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Imran Azim Butt Jan 09, 2016 11:50pm
Proud of Ahsan Khan and proud of Amtech systems .... Love you both !!!
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GA Jan 09, 2016 11:57pm
@Mani - I agree and disagree. English is a status symbol as well as a sign of an educated person amongst teeming millions of illiterates. However, had he discussed say, nuclear physics in entirely Urdu or Punjabi, would probably have had a similar impact.
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parveez shafi Jan 10, 2016 12:05am
I saw this video sent by my sister and straight away I agreed to help. But I am happy that there are so many people wanting to help, and he has been helped. Why not find more people like him, and open a office were people can make contact and be helped. I would love to contribute and there would be a lot more people like me
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Dr Syed Hyder Jan 10, 2016 04:51am
Criteria to somebody an intelligent person in Pakistan is English, there are so many people like him, nobody paid any attention to it .However, good effort from Ahsan Khan.
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Ram Mittal Jan 10, 2016 07:29am
Ahsan Ji - Thanks, your help is really an ahsan for a helpless and this act speaks of your name God Bless you.
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Karachite Jan 10, 2016 08:09am
A good example set by Ahsan for other celebrities
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SDA Jan 10, 2016 09:42am
Bravo Ahsan Khan! Great job accomplished. Also, thanks to Amtech IT company for giving this man an opportunity to work.
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Wiqas Jan 10, 2016 10:33am
Great job by all who contributed by one way or other. Keep it up. For sure media and celebrities can play even a better role.
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Apoorva Jan 10, 2016 01:36pm
Awesome !! Even if 1000 people help with 100 rs it will be a good amount for the man to atleasr start something on his own......good for the company who gave him job....
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Saleem Jan 10, 2016 01:39pm
It is heart-winning that positivity goes long way and one needs resilience and flexibility and good results follow for sure. I am glad that our Showbiz personas contributed so positively on the social side. God bless them! We should also do our bit in spreading such positive messages as we all have a shared responsibility as concerned Pakistanis.
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Mobin Jan 10, 2016 05:39pm
Well done Ahsan Khan God bless you.
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m. zaib Jan 10, 2016 05:43pm
thnx foru 1 amm insan ki help k liye
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m. zaib Jan 10, 2016 05:44pm
thnx 4 u
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M. Siddique Jan 10, 2016 05:48pm
God bless.
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dawn Jan 10, 2016 08:04pm
I am so very happy for this man.Thank everyone. To be honest I never enjoyed Ahsan acting but maybe I will start watching him now!!
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Maria van der Sterren Jan 10, 2016 08:24pm
It is wonderful that every where in the world the normal human being makes the difference!
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Adnan Mazher Khan Jan 10, 2016 08:45pm
@faryal Please go ahead.
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Khalid Toronto Jan 10, 2016 10:22pm
He is a very strong person. I probably won't survive losing my family.
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tango Jan 11, 2016 01:53am
I paid an elderly man Rs400 for just a half an hour labour. And that man complained that I paid him less. Why cant we be honest.
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Historicevents Jan 11, 2016 03:13am
You did a great Nobel job,thank you Ahsan Khan..
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Anwarahmad Jan 11, 2016 08:42am
Atleast Ahsan has set an example for others to follow.
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Hasan Jan 11, 2016 09:27am
Wonderful.
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Imtiaz Shah Jan 11, 2016 11:28am
Ahsan Bro, hows bout gettin' me a Job
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Miqbal Jan 11, 2016 07:59pm
good
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Anonymous Jan 11, 2016 08:20pm
I would encourage Dawn to do a follow up story to confirm if this man actually was given a job......I personally know that someone else has found this man and is taking care of him and said that Amtech systems claims of giving him a job are not entirely correct.
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sohail osman ali Jan 11, 2016 11:54pm
Salute, Ahsan Khan, and well done. Through your efforts I hope this honest man never has a bad day again in his life
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Rahul Jan 12, 2016 06:22am
Too good. This gentleman deserves all the care. Too sad, his brother betrayed him of his riches. Salaam from India.
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