Herald, taking inspiration from similar lists around the world, started this tradition of highlighting people who have managed to create an impact, start a dialogue, and influenced change in the country during the year. Every year, they have several nominees, who have done something or the other which deserves recognition.
This time around, they had 10 nominees for ‘Person of the Year’
- Nawaz Sharif
- Imran Khan
- Justice Asif Saeed Khosa
- Ayesha Gulalai
- Mohsin Hamid
- Najam Sethi
- Mashal Khan
- Census worker
- Online activist
- Mahira Khan
All of these were chosen due to specific reasons and they were
As soon as the poll went online, there was a massive campaign urging people to vote for Mashal Khan because he deserved it more than anyone else
#MashalKhan has been nominated for Herald Person Of The Year.
Please vote for him, just for the sake of his father's struggle and dedication.To vote click here: https://t.co/QYJRtww4pO
— Anas Tipu (@teepusahab) December 9, 2017
I voted for #MashalKhan , it take just a few seconds. Plz participate and vote for Mashal Khan because he deserve it ??Thanks????? https://t.co/ihjwCR1G3E
— Mahiman kurd (@Mahiman73) December 8, 2017
I voted for #MashalKhan for carrying forward the legacy of creating questions. https://t.co/aACaAHo6AL
— Noor Ul Islam (@noormpa) December 5, 2017
Mashal Khan’s father also urged Pakistanis to vote for him
A message from #MashalKhan father, making a personal appeal for everyone to vote for his son as @HeraldPakistan Person of the Year. Voting will take a few seconds only: https://t.co/BGe5Lurc4u@MJibranNasir @salmanhydr @Razarumi @sherryrehman @bilaltanweer pic.twitter.com/0lwzqWV4CM
— Minahil Mehdi (@minahil_mehdi) December 8, 2017
On New Year’s Eve, Mashal Khan was declared our person of the year for 2017 after calculating all the people’s votes
Pakistan votes #MashalKhan as #HeraldPersonOfTheYear. This vote isnt just for Mashal who left us but also his father Iqbal Lala who while carrying the loss of his son in his heart showed the entire nation the way forward out of this madness, hatred and intolerance. pic.twitter.com/eDWxF7pzZb
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) December 31, 2017
Several people took to Twitter to highlight how important it was for Mashal Khan to be voted in as the person of the year
Well done @HeraldPakistan you got the right person to epitomise Pakistan’s greatest and good in times of recurring darkness and strife. #MashalKhan is the ray of light in this barrel. https://t.co/EVJb4eULr4
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) January 1, 2018
Thanking all friends media who voted for #mashalkhan shaheed @HeraldPakistan Our struggle will continue until we get #JusticeforMashal @Imamofpeace @ImtiazAlamSAFMA @MJibranNasir @AWGoraya @A_ProudCivilian @tanvirarain @salmanhydr pic.twitter.com/eIsAjciypw
— Bashir Sherani (@BSheranii) December 30, 2017
A brilliant young man of Pakistan that we lost in the hands of blasphemy goons. @HeraldPakistan has announced "Person Of the Year" Mashal Khan. This will be cover story of January 2018 issue. Thanks to all those who voted. He will always be remembered in our heart. #MashalKhan pic.twitter.com/XePTbIPVnb
— Shaan (@Shanyousaf6) December 30, 2017
Mahira Khan, who was one of the nominees this year, was also thankful for the result. She is of the opinion that people like Mashal Khan should always be the person of the year
Thank you @HeraldPakistan for this!??
The Mashal Khan(s) of this country are the people of the year, always. https://t.co/Ql9tN2tD7A— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) December 5, 2017
This is a huge step for Pakistanis to realize that an innocent life was lost based on mere accusations; those too made up by the administration of the university for his criticism of how they were managing the campus. Mashal Khan’s case is still pending and that provides a lot of leverage to those who misuse the law for personal gains.
Mashal’s father is still fighting his son’s fight and urging the authorities for justice
The most inspirational face of this year, the respected father of #mashalkhan. The lone fighter in search of #justice for his brave son. pic.twitter.com/fqlN1d0vJl
— Syedih (@SyedIHusain) December 31, 2017
Mashal’s death was a proof of how intolerant we have become and do not even wait for the justice system to actually gather evidence if someone has committed the crime. This should be a cause for concern for us all. Let us not let his father fight for justice alone.
These Are All The Pakistanis Who’re Celebrating The Murder Of Mashal Khan In Mardan
Cover image via: tribune.com.pk