Dawn Images

This video of Salman Ahmad failing at push-ups is proof that PTI's struggle is real

The struggle for core strength, that is.

Updated 07 Nov, 2016

Today PTI chief Imran Khan demonstrated his fitness and preparedness for PTI's November 2 lockdown of Islamabad by performing pushups alongside other supporters, most notably Salman Ahmad.

Dressed in a tracksuit, the PTI chairman counted the pushups. "I am still not tired," he exclaimed amid loud cheers and clapping.

Such was the hullaballo that many people didn't notice until later that his partner in pushups, Salman Ahmad, was suffering and unable to keep up.

Wearing his signature hat, former Junoon guitarist Salman Ahmad couldn't muster the core strength to match Khan's 40-odd push ups.

He kept pausing in the middle of his pushups to catch his breath. He repeatedly looked over to Khan to check and see whether his ordeal would be over soon.

Unfortunately for Salman Ahmad, Imran Khan is known for keeping himself fit. As the PTI leader continued to bob up and down, Salman Ahmad saw that relief was not coming anytime soon.

Here's a birds-eye view of the PTI pushups project

The former Junooni ultimately found solace in the plank position, which he maintained for several seconds as he took a much needed break from the push ups.

This is not the first time Salman Ahmad has found himself in an awkward spot during PTI's lockdown - this weekend he was arrested and thrown in the back of a police van. He managed to escape, but the whole thing was caught on camera.

Ah Salman - the struggle is real, we know. And Twitter knows too:

Comments

Rafe Oct 31, 2016 03:03pm

Imran khan has amazing stamina even at this age.

Recommend

Amer Rao Oct 31, 2016 03:09pm

Pakistan needs him. Inspiration for millions.

Recommend

Sami Ullah Swati Oct 31, 2016 03:36pm

Loved it. Fit nation, clean mentality and superb determination to clean up the corruption mafia of this nation. When I travel abroad, people ask about corruption in Pakistan and always come with this strong belief that the government in Pakistan is corrupt. We need to change!!!

Recommend

Asif Oct 31, 2016 03:37pm

I like the way this story was written. Didn't looked at Salman though. I think that poor guy was looking for some space as well. But at least he tried.

Recommend

Nawaz Oct 31, 2016 03:51pm

If physical fitness was supposed to be the criterion for leading the country, Mohammed Ali Jinnah or Mahatma Gandhi would have stood no chance of ever becoming leaders of their respective nations. Get real IK; running a country is serious business man. Its not a game of cricket. Being physically fit does not make a person fit to lead a country.

Recommend

Owais Oct 31, 2016 03:53pm

For all those making fun of Salman Ahmed i can bet half of them cannot even do 40 push ups. For you to do 40 push ups you need to be a routine of doing them daily.

Recommend

Jewa Oct 31, 2016 04:00pm

Ik is real inspiration for the people who thinks.....

Recommend

El Cid Oct 31, 2016 04:01pm

The Great Khan has all around leadership qualities, attributes and charisma. It is time the Paks recognize his worth, take advantage of his abilities to guide their destiny.

Recommend

lafanga Oct 31, 2016 04:12pm

Can anyone from the entire PMLN cabinet do even one pushup? I highly doubt it. They probably cant even take the posture let alone doing the actual pushup.

Recommend

Masood Hussain Oct 31, 2016 04:12pm

It's obvious that a singer can not match a sportsman's stamina,unless the singer happens to be "Bono" of U2 rock group.

Recommend

MA Oct 31, 2016 04:14pm

@Nawaz u can't be serious?

Recommend

lafanga Oct 31, 2016 04:14pm

@Nawaz Physical fitness alone is not the criterian. It's the attitude. If IK works hard to keep himself fit, we can be rest assured he won't fly out to London for 6 months and run the govt from there. I hope you get the idea.

Recommend

Angry Pitbull Oct 31, 2016 04:21pm

More than physical strength smart brain is required to run a country successful.

Recommend

Sarah Khan Oct 31, 2016 04:38pm

Hahahahaha! He's just an active Tweeter.

Recommend

Namkeen Oct 31, 2016 04:38pm

Push up politics !!! That is a good criteria for Pakistani leadership.

Recommend

Aman Oct 31, 2016 04:48pm

@Nawaz, If Nawaz is considered fit to run a government then anyone can do.

Recommend

M.A Oct 31, 2016 05:11pm

Despite being extremely unfit, Sheikh Rashid made it to Committee Chowk. Khan could not reach and nor even attempted to reach Lal Haveli. Determination not Fitness :)

Recommend

Ali Oct 31, 2016 05:42pm

A healthy body has a healthy mind.

Recommend

Dr. Doctor Oct 31, 2016 06:03pm

This is a cheated push up Khan Sahib. You need to go further down; half a push up doesn't count. Breaking News: Khan Sahib disqualified on push ups!!!

Recommend

Jag Oct 31, 2016 07:09pm

This article made d video funnier! :D gud work!

Recommend

SALMAN HAKIM Oct 31, 2016 09:38pm

A leader inspires his followers. Lead by example!

Recommend

Atif Khan Oct 31, 2016 10:05pm

@Dr. Doctor actually half push-ups are more difficult on the biceps. You are a doctor? :-)

Recommend

Sameer Oct 31, 2016 10:10pm

at least Salman gave us Junoon and other memorable songs with Ali Azmat... Meanwhile Sindh sports minister's entire contribution so far was a horror show for push ups.

Recommend

Vijay Oct 31, 2016 10:18pm

@Nawaz Thank God. ONE Pakistani is awake!

Recommend

RAj Patel Oct 31, 2016 11:00pm

@lafanga They will make you to do push up. Why they do ?? They are making every one to do push up except themselves.

Recommend

Sumair Oct 31, 2016 11:15pm

@Nawaz Ohh the irony of your name

Recommend

Zoheb Oct 31, 2016 11:39pm

@Nawaz actually your wrong.. fundamentally speaking rulers back in history were physically and mentally fit. They fought wars and led their people from the front. I mean Nawaz is weak, not just physically but he does not have any business accumen either. Without corruption he would be nothing. So yes, we need fit people to be leaders of Pakistan. The unfit leaders in the past have destroyed Pakistan to its current day state.

Recommend

SIAK Oct 31, 2016 11:50pm

As fit as he is, in all fairness IK didn't really do pushups properly... they were cheat pushups..

Recommend

kdspirited Nov 01, 2016 12:40am

IK can still give others much younger counterparts a run for their money. All PMLN leadership can do is eat their way to their demise

Recommend

Fawad Nov 01, 2016 02:07am

No I know why the PML is against Imran. Sabh ko fit karke rakh dega. Lol. Besides that one should admire Salman's effort. Trying is what matters.

Recommend

Wahab Nov 01, 2016 02:55am

@Nawaz but being physically fit helps maintain a healthy feame of mind for complex decision makings.

Recommend

Ahmed Nov 01, 2016 05:14am

@Nawaz if NS knows anything about governance ...all he cares is what meat dish for dinner n aaj kitney passey ban gaye hain itefaq factory ke...

Recommend

Masood Nov 01, 2016 08:47am

Awesome stamina Imran Khan!! Source of inspiration to the millions of youth and elderly alike Fitness is the core for a strong mind! I met Jimmy Carter recently At the age of 95 he is amazingly fit!! He routinely exercises!! Amongst all the leadership qualities in a leader physical toughness is extremely important and complements mental toughness ! I wish other leaders take inspiration from the mighty khan !!!

Recommend

Aks Nov 01, 2016 09:07am

They were doing only half push-ups it appears from the video. Should have gone full down.

Recommend

Dr. Doctor Nov 01, 2016 09:59am

@Atif Khan Do a Google search for "triceps and pushups", the very first link will point to a YouTube video in which a trainer will guide you through the technique and she will also tell you how to do the "easy" half push up for "beginners". I rest my case.

Recommend

Islamabad Calling Nov 01, 2016 10:02am

@Nawaz Fitness is not essential but desirable. Secondly, fitness is not just about push-ups it is also about your stamina. Even in his old-age Jinnah slept very and worked more than 16 hours a day. That is fitness. Lastly, fitness may not be criteria for leading the country but honesty certainly is. In all this political soap opera we seem to have forgotten that. If we can apply that criteria (yes, I do not know how it can be done), almost all of the political leadership of our country will be wiped out.

Recommend

Dr. Doctor Nov 01, 2016 10:04am

@Atif Khan Final thoughts. Imran Khan is doing push up in a way which uses triceps. If you are not sure then go to a personal trainer and ask. For him to strain his biceps (like you are trying to portray) he would have to turn his palms at 90 degrees from current position, and put both his hands far apart as if he is forming a human cross! If you don't understand this basic explanation then please do a search for push up with biceps emphasis and please also teach that to your guru Khan Ji!!!!! P.S. Alhamdulillah I am as much a doctor as a doctor ought to be, in fact twice...... but you won't understand so don't fret over it!

Recommend

Salis Usman Nov 01, 2016 10:25am

@Angry Pitbull Smart enough to be corrupt and capable of never get caught?

Recommend

shereen Nov 01, 2016 11:31am

Exhibition. Is that what we want? How is leaders physical fitness relevant to his political fitness?

Recommend

Syed Abdullah Nov 01, 2016 12:20pm

Assalamu alaikum All my dear Pakistani 's. Let's join hands from today that we all in personal capacity will not harm Pakistan in anyway, and support all those who is sincere even in his thoughts for Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad............

Recommend

Asif Tariq Nov 01, 2016 05:28pm

Due to limited place hereby he was unable to to do prolonged.

Recommend

Habib Nov 01, 2016 10:45pm

Captain you rule man good for your past better halves

Recommend

white noise Nov 02, 2016 08:42am

Can someone please tell SA that looking at the beard is a torture also? get rid of it before it applies for asylum !!!

Recommend

S. A. M. Nov 03, 2016 12:50am

message for nawaz who keeps on playing doctor doctor game.