The Son of Pakistan Who Once Defended His Country and Is Now Bringing the World to Pakistan

Some athletes make their country proud through their performances, but there are others who become their nation’s voice during difficult times. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is one such athlete.

In 2010, when Pakistan was surrounded by international headlines about terrorism, the country’s morale was low even on the sporting front. The spot-fixing scandal in cricket had further damaged Pakistan’s image in the world of sports. Against this backdrop, Aisam-ul-Haq’s journey to the final of the Grand Slam US Open was not merely a sporting achievement—it was a moment of hope for Pakistan.

During the closing ceremony of the final, Aisam-ul-Haq presented Pakistan’s case to the world in a powerful and clear manner. His message was simple: We are not a nation of terrorists; we are peace-loving people. We love sports, and the world should come to Pakistan and play here.

At a time when fear and negative perceptions about Pakistan were widespread internationally, a Pakistani athlete standing on such a prestigious global platform and defending his country became a source of immense pride and encouragement for the Pakistani nation.

That is why viewing Aisam-ul-Haq merely as a tennis player would be limiting his contribution. He stood before the world and made the case for his 240 million fellow Pakistanis.

And now, sixteen years later, the same Aisam-ul-Haq appears to be turning that message into reality in a new role. He is no longer just an athlete representing Pakistan; he is now the President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation.

The hosting of international tennis events in Islamabad, and the arrival of players from different countries, is a clear sign of how far Pakistan has come. A country that once had to explain itself to the world is now welcoming international athletes to its own soil.

A beautiful example of this is the ongoing women’s international tennis tournament in Islamabad, featuring 30 players from 17 countries. Under the “Rally for Her” initiative, 60 percent of the event’s proceeds have been allocated to cancer care, while 40 percent will support the development of women’s tennis.

The message Aisam-ul-Haq delivered to the world years ago is no longer just words. Today, it is taking shape through action.

Pakistan is reconnecting with the world through sport.