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Imran Khan
HI(C) PP FRCPE
عمران خان
Prime Minister Imran Khan Adresses the Forum 01.jpg
Khan in 2021
19th Prime Minister of Pakistan
In office
18 August 2018 – 10 April 2022
President
Preceded by Nasirul Mulk (caretaker)
Succeeded by Shehbaz Sharif
Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
In office
25 April 1996 – 2 December 2023
Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Gohar Ali Khan
Member of the National Assembly
In office
13 August 2018 – 21 October 2022
Preceded by Obaidullah Shadikhel
Constituency NA-95 Mianwali-I
Majority 113,523 (44.89%)
In office
19 June 2013 – 31 May 2018
Preceded by Hanif Abbasi
Succeeded by Sheikh Rashid Shafique
Constituency NA-56 Rawalpindi-VII
Majority 13,268 (8.28%)
In office
10 October 2002 – 3 November 2007
Preceded by Constituency established
Succeeded by Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan
Constituency NA-71 Mianwali-I
Majority 6,204 (4.49%)
Chancellor of the University of Bradford
In office
7 December 2005 – 8 December 2014
Preceded by Betty Lockwood
Succeeded by Kate Swann
Personal details
Born
Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi

(1952-10-05) 5 October 1952 (age 73)
Lahore, West Punjab, Pakistan
Political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (since 1996)
Spouses
(m. 1995; div. 2004)
(m. 2015; div. 2015)
Bushra Bibi
(m. 2018)
Children 2
Relatives Family of Imran Khan
Residences
  • Bani Gala, Islamabad, Capital Territory
  • Zaman Park, Lahore, Punjab
Education Keble College, Oxford (B.A.)
Awards See list
Signature
Nicknames
  • Kaptaan (Captain)
  • Qaidi No. 804 (Prisoner No. 804)
Personal information
Height 6 ft (183 cm)
Batting Right-handed
Bowling Right-arm fast
Role All-rounder
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 88) 3 June 1971 v England
Last Test 2 January 1992 v Sri Lanka
ODI debut (cap 175) 31 August 1974 v England
Last ODI 25 March 1992 v England
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 88 175 382 425
Runs scored 3,807 3,709 17,771 10,100
Batting average 37.69 33.41 36.79 33.22
100s/50s 6/18 1/19 30/93 5/66
Top score 136 102* 170 114*
Balls bowled 19,458 7,461 65,224 19,122
Wickets 362 182 1287 507
Bowling average 22.81 26.61 22.32 22.31
5 wickets in innings 23 1 70 6
10 wickets in match 6 0 13 0
Best bowling 8/58 6/14 8/34 6/14
Catches/stumpings 28/– 36/– 117/– 84/–
Medal record
Men's Cricket
Representing  Pakistan
ICC Cricket World Cup
Winner 1992 Australia and New Zealand
ACC Asia Cup
Runner-up 1986 Sri Lanka
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 5 November 2014

Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi (born 5 October 1952) is a famous Pakistani former cricketer and politician. He also worked as a philanthropist, helping others through charity. From August 2018 to April 2022, he served as the 19th prime minister of Pakistan.

As a cricket captain, he led the Pakistan national team to win the 1992 Cricket World Cup. After leaving cricket, he started the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. This was Pakistan's first cancer hospital. He also founded the political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and was its chairman from 1996 to 2023.

Born in Lahore, he studied at Keble College, Oxford. He started his international cricket career in 1971. He was known for suggesting neutral umpires in cricket matches. He led Pakistan to win Test series in India and England in 1987. He played cricket until 1992 and was captain for much of the 1980s and early 1990s. He is one of the few players to score 3,000 runs and take 300 wickets in Test matches. In 2009, he was added to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Who is Imran Khan?

Imran Khan is a well-known figure in Pakistan. He is famous for his achievements in cricket and his work in politics. He also dedicated himself to helping people through his charity work.

Early Life and Education

JavedZamanWithImranKhan
Khan with his uncle Javed Zaman, who later became his cricket mentor, around 1957.

Imran Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan, on 5 October 1952. He was the only son of Ikramullah Khan Niazi and Shaukat Khanum. He has four sisters. His family has roots in the Niazi tribe. His mother's family, the Burki community, moved to Pakistan in 1947.

He went to Aitchison College and Cathedral School in Lahore. Later, he attended Royal Grammar School Worcester in England. In 1972, he was accepted into Keble College, Oxford, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics. He finished his studies in 1975.

A Cricket Star

Imran Khan started his first-class cricket career at the age of 16 in Lahore. In the early 1970s, he played for various local teams. He was also part of the University of Oxford Blues Cricket team from 1973 to 1975.

Between 1971 and 1976, Khan played for Worcestershire in England. He also represented other teams like Dawood Industries and Pakistan International Airlines. From 1983 to 1988, he played for Sussex.

He made his first Test cricket appearance against England in June 1971. His first One Day International (ODI) match was also against England in August 1974.

Imran Khan at Sydney University Luncheon, 1984
Khan as a Test cricketer at a luncheon with Sydney University's Vice-Chancellor John Manning Ward in 1984.

As a bowler, Khan learned a special technique called reverse swing. He later taught this skill to other famous bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. He was known for taking many wickets, especially between 1980 and 1988. In 1982, he took the most Test wickets that year.

Becoming Captain

In 1982, Imran Khan became the captain of the Pakistan national cricket team. Under his leadership, Pakistan won a Test match in England for the first time in 28 years. In 1983, he was recognized as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

He also helped change cricket rules to have neutral umpires. This meant umpires from countries not involved in the match would make decisions. This change helped make games fairer.

In 1987, Khan led Pakistan to win its first Test series in India. They also won their first series in England that same year. He briefly retired after the 1987 Cricket World Cup but returned as captain when asked by General Zia-ul-Haq.

World Cup Victory

Imran Khan at the 1992 Cricket World Cup Ceremony
Khan presenting the World Cup to the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, after their 1992 World Cup win.

Imran Khan led Pakistan to its greatest cricket victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup. In the final match, he scored 72 runs, which was the highest for his team. Pakistan won the World Cup for the first time ever.

After the victory, he famously said, "It was rock-bottom when we lost to South Africa. I told the boys they had to play as if they were cornered tigers. I told them to forget about bowling no-balls and wides, and just go out there and fight."

Cricket Records and Achievements

Khan played his last Test match in January 1992 and retired after the 1992 World Cup win. He finished his career with 88 Test matches, scoring 3,807 runs and taking 362 wickets. He also played 175 One Day International matches, scoring 3,709 runs and taking 182 wickets.

He is one of only a few players to achieve the "all-rounder's triple." This means he scored 3,000 runs and took 300 wickets in Test cricket. He also won the most "Player of the Series" awards for Pakistan in Test cricket.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

After his cricket career, Imran Khan became a dedicated philanthropist. He served as a UNICEF Special Representative for Sports. In this role, he promoted health and immunisation programs in several countries.

Imran Khan at Pakistan Embassy School, Jeddah
Khan fundraising for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, 1992.

In 1994, he founded the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. He named it after his mother, who passed away from cancer. He traveled across the country to raise money for the hospital. His goal was to provide free treatment to patients who could not afford it. As of 2024, about 70% of patients receive free care.

In December 2005, Khan helped establish Namal College in Mianwali. This college aimed to provide technical and vocational education to help people find jobs. The college opened its doors in 2008.

In February 2006, he started The Imran Khan Foundation (IKF). This foundation has supported various relief projects. For example, in 2013, it launched a project to help families displaced from North Waziristan by providing food and other essentials.

Entering Politics

Imran in peshawar
Khan at a political rally in Peshawar in 1996.

Imran Khan was offered a political role in 1987 by President Zia-ul-Haq, but he declined. In 1993, he briefly served as a tourism ambassador.

Founding a Party

On 25 April 1996, he founded his own political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He ran for the National Assembly in the 1997 elections but did not win.

He supported General Musharraf's government in 1999, hoping it would fight corruption. He won a seat in the National Assembly for the first time in the 2002 election.

Imran Khan - portrait (cropped)
Khan in 2007.

In 2007, he resigned from Parliament to protest the presidential election. He was briefly placed under house arrest but later escaped to join a student protest. He was arrested during the protest and spent a week in jail before being released.

In 2011, he held large rallies in Lahore and Karachi, gathering many supporters. He spoke out against government policies and called for change.

2013 Elections and Opposition

PTI Symbol Elections
Khan chose the cricket bat as his party's electoral symbol for the 2013 elections.

In April 2013, Khan launched his election campaign. He promised to remove Pakistan from the US-led war on terror and bring peace to tribal areas. He also aimed to create a fair education system for all children.

During the campaign, he suffered injuries from a fall but continued to address rallies from his hospital bed. In the 2013 Pakistani general election, his party became the leading party in the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As an opposition leader, he met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in August 2013. He also led protests in 2014, demanding the Prime Minister's resignation and an investigation into election fraud.

Becoming Prime Minister

Imran Khan in Sindh, 2017
Khan campaigning in Sindh in 2017.

Imran Khan ran in the 2018 Pakistani general election from five different areas and won all of them. This was a first in Pakistan's election history.

On 6 August 2018, his party nominated him for Prime Minister. He was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on 18 August 2018.

Important Work as Prime Minister

Imran Khan oath as Prime Minister
Khan (left) being sworn in as Prime Minister by President Mamnoon Hussain in 2018.

As Prime Minister, Imran Khan focused on several key areas for Pakistan's development.

Helping the Economy

When he took office, Khan reduced government spending. He cut the Prime Minister's staff and auctioned off luxury vehicles. His government aimed to improve the country's financial situation.

President Trump at Davos (49421741106)
Khan meeting US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in 2020.

Official records showed that expenses for the Prime Minister's office decreased significantly during his term. He also made fewer foreign trips than his predecessors, saving money.

Protecting the Environment

In September 2018, Khan launched the Plant for Pakistan program. This initiative aimed to plant many trees across the country to combat climate change.

His government also announced the creation of 15 new national parks under the Protected Areas Initiative. In 2020, he declared that Pakistan would stop two coal projects and aim for 60% renewable energy by 2030.

Social Programs

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur3
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib renovated by Khan's government.

Khan's government launched the Ehsaas Programme, Pakistan's largest welfare program. This program provided financial help to millions of low-income citizens.

In November 2019, he opened the Kartarpur Corridor. This allowed Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit a holy site in Pakistan without needing a visa.

Working with Other Countries

President Trump Meets with the Prime Minister of Pakistan (48374480366)
Khan with US President Donald Trump at the White House, July 2019.

Khan worked to improve Pakistan's relationships with other countries. He responded to comments from US President Donald Trump about aid, highlighting Pakistan's sacrifices in fighting terrorism.

After an attack in Indian-held Kashmir in 2019, he stated Pakistan's commitment to peace. He also supported the Afghan peace process and helped facilitate trade with Afghanistan.

In February 2022, Khan visited Moscow to discuss economic and energy cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized Pakistan's desire to maintain neutrality in global alliances.

Stance on Islamophobia

Khan spoke out against Islamophobia, which is prejudice against Islam or Muslims. In 2019, he announced plans for a TV channel to address this issue. He urged global leaders to understand why insults against religious figures are hurtful. In March 2022, Pakistan led a UN resolution to make March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

After Being Prime Minister

In April 2022, Imran Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence motion. This made him the first Pakistani Prime Minister to be removed this way. He stated that his removal was due to foreign interference.

Imran Khan injuries 2022
Khan speaking to media at Shaukat Khanum hospital after treatment in 2022.

In November 2022, Khan was injured during a protest march. He received medical treatment and continued his political activities.

Since his time as Prime Minister, he has faced many legal challenges and has been held in detention. He has stated that these legal issues are politically motivated.

In December 2023, he nominated Gohar Ali Khan to take over as chairman of his party, PTI. His nomination papers for the 2024 Pakistani general election were rejected. Despite this, many candidates supported by his party won seats in the election.

In August 2024, an application was submitted for Khan to run in the 2024 University of Oxford Chancellor election. However, university officials disqualified him in October 2024, citing his prior legal situation and active political role.

Wealth and Assets

Imran Khan has declared his assets to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over the years. These include his homes in Zaman Park, Lahore and Bani Gala, agricultural land, and bank accounts. He has also reported his tax payments annually.

Political Positions

Imran Khan (4276439704)
Khan speaking at the Chatham House in London, 2012.

Imran Khan has often spoken about global issues. In 1999, he criticized the UN for not stopping conflicts. He also protested against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, saying it would lead to more wars.

He describes himself as a pacifist, meaning he is against war. He has opposed military actions, especially in Afghanistan, and criticized Pakistan's involvement in the US-led "war on terror." He has also spoken against the Iraq War and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

In 2013, Khan suggested secret talks between India and Pakistan to solve the Kashmir issue. He also condemned "forced conversions" of people from different faiths.

Awards and Honours

Imran Khan has received many awards and honors throughout his career. These include:

  • Hilal-i-Imtiaz
  • Pride of Performance
  • Wisden Cricketers of the Year
  • Induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Authorship

Imran Khan has also written several books and articles. In the late 1980s, he was the editor of The Cricketer magazine. He has written opinion pieces for publications like Outlook, The Guardian, and the BBC.

His 2011 autobiography, Pakistan: A Personal History, shares his journey from cricket to politics and his charity work. In 2021, he wrote an article for CNN about protecting natural environments.

Khan's publications include:

  • West and East (1975)
  • Imran: The Autobiography of Imran Khan (1983)
  • Imran Khan's Cricket Skills (1989)
  • Indus Journey: A Personal View of Pakistan (1991)
  • All Round View (1992)
  • Warrior Race: A Journey Through the Land of the Tribal Pathans (1993)
  • Pakistan: A Personal History (2011)
  • Main Aur Mera Pakistan (2014)

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See also

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