I have always been very fond of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The manner in which he put his country on the road to progress is impressive. For the past few months, he has been making headlines unfortunately for all the wrong reasons, or perhaps that’s what we are made to believe. We all know the power of global media and how it creates the image of a country, a people or an individual.

Last Friday, after returning from mosque the president spotted a man trying to commit suicide by jumping off the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul. He stopped his entourage and got the man convinced not to take that step. Had he ignored the man, nobody would have asked any question about his action but he chose otherwise. It was neither staged nor an attempt to build his image; that is what President Erdogan is all about. An emotional but wise leader who is sincere with his people and country.

I vividly remember that a few years ago a man committed self-immolation in front of the resident (we can safely call it a palace) of one of the so-called popular leaders of Pakistan. That “great” leader did not even bother to come out of his palace even after the person was burned to death. Unfortunately, he and his likes are still considered leaders of the country. They continue to win election on the basis of their hollow promises. The same leaders want to turn Pakistan into Turkey. Before making any attempt at that, they should try to change themselves and follow the example set by the Turkish president.

A leader is supposed to feel the pain of his followers. Our self-centered politicians don’t qualify for the title of a leader.