Imran Khan (Former Prime Minister of Pakistan) Biography

Imran Khan, a politician against the establishment who was born in Lahore, Pakistan, on October 5, 1952, became the country’s first prime minister to be overthrown by a parliamentary vote in 2022. He became well-known for his cricket skills, having helped Pakistan win the Cricket World Cup in 1992. After a falling out with the politically influential army, he entered politics later on as an opponent of government corruption in Pakistan, yet in 2022 he was charged with corruption as well.

Imran Khan Biography

Birth	5 October 1952
Age	69 years
Family	Ikramullah Khan Niazi (Father)Shaukat Khanum (Mother)
Education	University of Oxford
Profession	Politician Former Cricketer
Political Party	Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)
Wife	Jemima Goldsmith (married 1995; divorced 2004) Reham Khan (married and divorced in 2015)Bushra Bibi (married 2018)
Children	(2) Sulaiman Isa Khan, Kasim Khan
Awards	Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1992)Pride of Performance (1983)King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (2019)Wetherall Award (1980)Inaugural Silver Jubilee award (2008)
Instagram	@Imran Khan

Imran Khan: Birth and Family

Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi was born to a Pashtun family of Mianwali in Lahore on October 5, 1952, to Ikramullah Khan Niazi and Shaukat Khanum. Imran Khan was the only son of the couple and has four sisters.

Imran Khan belongs to the Pashtun ethnicity and Niazi tribe. Haibat Khan Niazi, one of the ancestors of Imran Khan, was Sher Shah Suri’s leading general and the governor of Punjab.

Imran Khan’s mother hails from the Pashtun tribe of Burki which has given several successful cricketers in Pakistan’s history. His cousins Javed Burki and Majid Khan are also successful cricketers of Pakistan. Imran Khan is also a descendant of the Sufi warrior-poet Pir Roshan.

Education

Imran Khan received his earlier education at Aitchison College and Cathedral School in Lahore and then the Royal Grammar School in Worcester and excelled in cricket. In the year 1972, he got himself enrolled in Keble College, Oxford and graduated in 1975 in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Background

Khan made his first-class cricket debut aged sixteen in Lahore. During the early 1970s, he was playing for different Lahore-based smaller teams before making it into the main team in 1970–71.

Khan was part of University of Oxford’s Blues Cricket team between 1973 and 1975.

He played county cricket from 1971 to 1976 for Worcestershire, as an average medium-pace bowler.

Debut

He made his Test Debut against England on 3rd June 1971 which ended in a stalemate as failed to take a single wicket across both the innings and scored just 5 runs.
Three years later, he debuted in the ODI format against the same opponents at Trent Bridge for the Prudential Trophy.
He failed to claim a single wicket but had the third best economy in the whole match and finished his 10 overs.

Club Career

He initially played for Dawood Industries between 1975 and 1976 and the Pakistan International Airlines between 1975/1976 to 1980/1981.

He then represented the Oxford University, Sussex, and Worcestershire while at his time in England. In the 1984-85 season, he represented the New South Wales of Australia.

Cricket Career

Imran Khan made his test debut in the 1971 Pakistan-England series at Birmingham, but failed to make a mark due to his not-so-good performance.
In 1974, he made his One Day International (ODI) debut in the Prudential Trophy and was selected in the national team after returning to Pakistan.
His splendid performance against New Zealand and Australia during 1976-77 made him a prominent fast bowler in Pakistan during the 1980s.
He was chosen as the captain of Pakistan cricket team in 1982. He performed stupendously as a fast bowler and all-rounder, leading his team to its first Test victory against England, at Lord’s, after 28 years.
Under his captaincy, Pakistan won 14 out of 48 test matches, losing 8 and 26 resulting in a draw. In the ODI format, he played 139 matches, with 77 wins and 57 losses, while one match was a tie.
A stress fracture in his shin kept him away from cricket for two years. He returned and gave Pakistan its first ever Test series win against India in 1987, followed by a Test series win in England.
He retired from Cricket in 1987, but returned in 1988, upon Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq’s request. He won a Test series against the West Indies and was declared ‘Man of the Series’ for his 23-wicket haul in 3 tests.
The 1992 Cricket World Cup proved to be the zenith of Imran Khan’s successful career, as he led his country to victory in the coveted championship.
He retired from cricket in 1992, with 3807 runs and 362 wickets in tests and 3709 runs and 182 wickets in ODI.
Imran Khan entered politics in 1997 by setting up his own party ‘Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’ (PTI), as an initiative to eradicate mismanagement and corruption in Pakistan.
He contested in October 2002 elections and was elected as a Member Parliament from Mianwali.
In 2008, he founded Namal College, an associate college of the University of Bradford and established the ‘Imran Khan Foundation.’
During the 2013 election campaign, he started ‘Naya Pakistan Resolution’, after which his party posed a threat to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
He rejected an offer to collaborate with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
He injured his head and back upon tumbling from a stage during a campaign rally, four days prior to elections and continued to vote appeal from the hospital but his party lost to the PML-N.
In the 2018 Pakistan general elections, Imran’s party won the largest number of seats defeating the ruling PML-N. He took oath as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on August 18, 2018.
His views on cricket have been published in different British and Asian newspapers and Indian publications, including Outlook, Guardian, Independent, and Telegraph.
He is actively involved with commentary on cricket matches for various sports networks, like Star TV, BBC Urdu, and TEN Sports.

Captaincy

At the age of 30, he took over the captaincy from Javed Miandad. He captained his side in 48 test matches in which 14 were won and 8 were lost.
In the 139 ODIs he had captained, he led his team across the finishing line on 77 occasions and losing 57 matches.
In the 1982 home series against India, he took 40 wickets in six Tests at an average of 13.95 but suffered a stress fracture in his shin that kept him out of the team for more than two years.
He made his comeback in the 1984–1985 season. After failing to reach the 1987 World Cup, he retired from International Cricket before returning to the team in 1988.
At the age of 39, he successfully led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup and contributed mainly with the bat rather than with the ball throughout the series.

Also Read : Rohit Sharma (Indian Cricketer) Biography

Cricket Life

Imran Khan became the inspiration for kids for entering cricket on a global level. He rose to fame with his incredible talent among the best cricketers Pakistan has ever made. He’s credited for top Pakistan to the first Cricket World Cup title in 1992, beating England. This winner cricketer amazed the world by being an exceptional quick bowler and a fantastic all-rounder, hence providing cricket an all-new craze in the nation of Pakistan. He excelled not only in the entire world arena but also in the political universe and societal ground.

1974: Back in 1974, he debuted at 1 Day International (ODI) at the Prudential Trophy and had been chosen to the national team after coming to Pakistan.
1976-77: His fabulous bowling against New Zealand and Australia through 1976-77 added to his success, which earned him the revered status of a fast bowler in Pakistan during the 1980s.
1982: He had been selected as the captain of Pakistan cricket team in 1982. He performed splendidly as a fast bowler and also all-rounder, directing his team into the first Test victory against England, at Lord’s, after 28 decades.
1991: In 1991, he laid the foundation of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, a charity association connected with the study and research of cancer and other associated diseases, called after his mother’s name.
1992: He retired from cricket in 1992, together with 3807 matches and 362 wickets in evaluations and 3709 conducts and 182 wickets at ODI.

Batting style: Right-hand batsman
Bowling style: Right-arm fast bowler
Test debut: England v Pakistan at Birmingham, Jun 1971
ODI debut: England v Pakistan at Nottingham, Aug 1974
Favorite cricket personalities: Dennis Lillee, Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Sunil Gavaskar, Abdul Qadir
Awards: Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 1992
Pride of Performance in 1983

Imran’s Record in Numbers

In 1983, he was named as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
During the International Cricket Council’s centennial year celebration, he was one amongst the fifty-five cricketers inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
He even won the Sussex Cricket Society Player of the Year in 1985.

Retirement

In January 1992, he played his last test match for Pakistan when they faced Sri Lanka in the series decider.
He didn’t bowl in both innings and failed with the bat in his last innings. However, Pakistan won the match by 3 wickets and eventually the series.

Entry into Politics

Imran Khan’s political journey began with the founding of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996. PTI was established with the vision of creating a just and equitable society based on principles of justice and accountability.

Political Activism and Grassroots Support

Transitioning from cricket to politics, Imran Khan engaged in extensive grassroots activism. He focused on mobilizing the youth and urban middle class, advocating for transparency, and addressing socio-political issues. His charismatic leadership gradually garnered support for PTI.

Election Campaigns and Political Milestones

Imran Khan faced multiple election campaigns before achieving a breakthrough. The turning point came in the 2018 general elections when PTI emerged as the leading party, securing a majority in the National Assembly. Imran Khan assumed the role of the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on August 18, 2018.

Political Issues and Stances

Anti-Corruption and Accountability

A cornerstone of Imran Khan’s political agenda has been the fight against corruption. He has consistently advocated for accountability, leading to the establishment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the pursuit of high-profile corruption cases.

Social Welfare Programs and Poverty Alleviation

Imran Khan’s government launched various social welfare programs aimed at alleviating poverty. The Ehsaas Program, in particular, focuses on providing financial assistance, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to the underprivileged.

Foreign Policy and International Relations

In terms of foreign policy, Imran Khan emphasizes peace and stability in the region. He has actively engaged in mediating conflicts, especially between India and Pakistan. Additionally, Khan has worked towards strengthening Pakistan’s relations with various countries and international organizations, seeking economic cooperation and diplomatic ties.

Imran Khan’s political career reflects a commitment to principles of justice, transparency, and socio-economic development, with a focus on addressing corruption and implementing programs to uplift the disadvantaged.

Political Journey

He entered politics in 1997 by establishing his own political party ‘Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’ (PTI), as an initiative to eradicate mismanagement and corruption from Pakistan. He contested October 2002 elections and has been chosen as a Member Parliament in Mianwali. In 2008, he found Namal College, a member faculty of the University of Bradford and created Imran Khan Foundation.

On 25 April 1996, Khan launched a political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He contested for two National Assembly seats in Pakistani general election, 1997. However, was ineffective and lost both constituencies to applicants of PML (N).
Khan affirmed General Pervez Musharraf’s military coup in 1999, presuming Musharraf would “end corruption, clear out the political mafias”. According to Khan, he had been Musharraf’s choice for prime minister in 2002 but turned down the deal.
In the 2002 Pakistani general election in October across 272 constituencies, Khan engaged in the elections and was ready to make a coalition when his party didn’t get the vast majority of their vote. He had been chosen from Mianwali.
On 2 October 2007, as a part of the All Parties Democratic Movement,” Khan united with 85 additional MPs to resign from Parliament in demonstration of this presidential election scheduled for 6 October, that Musharraf was contesting without resigning as military chief.
On 30 October 2011, Khan dealt over 100,000 fans in Lahore, demanding the policies of this authorities, predicting that fresh alter that a”tsunami” contrary to the ruling parties. Another prosperous public gathering of thousands and thousands of fans has been held in Karachi on 25 December 2011.
On 23 March 2013, Khan introduced the Naya Pakistan Resolution (Brand New Pakistan) in the onset of his election campaign.
On 29 April 2013, The Observer named Khan and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as the primary resistance to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Between 2011 and 2013, both Khan and also Nawaz Sharif started to engage each other in a bitter feud. The competition between both leaders climbed in late 2011 when Khan dealt with his biggest audience at Minar-e-Pakistan at Lahore.
By 26 April 2013, at the run up to the elections, the PML-N along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf began to criticise each other. Pakistan’s 2013 elections took place on 11 May 2013 all over the nation. The elections led to a transparent majority of Pakistan Muslim League.
Khan headed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and became the opposition party in Punjab and Sindh.
One year following elections on 11 May 2014, Khan alleged tha the 2013 overall elections had been rigged in favor of the ruling Pakistan Muslim Leaque. On 14 August 2014, Imran Khan led a rally of fans in Lahore to Islamabad, promising Nawaz Sharif’s resignation and analysis into alleged electoral fraud.
Khan entered into an arrangement with Sharif government to set up a three-member high-profile judicial commission that would be formed beneath a presidential ordinance. This judicial commission saw Nawaz Sharif convict and delivered him into prison, so a caretaker government was formed and Khan began his preparations to get 2018 elections.
Imran Khan contested the overall election 2018. Khan led the elections, though his resistance, largely PML-N, alleged large scale vote and administrative malpractices.
Imran Khan became the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. He took his oath on August 18th, 2018.

Records & Achievements

He became the hero of Pakistan in 1992 when he accomplished his greatest success winning the first ODI Cricket World Cup for Pakistan, defeating England in the finals, at Melbourne, despite suffering from a ruptured shoulder cartilage.
This all-rounder’s triple in 75 tests, comprising of 3000 runs and 300 wickets, is said to be the second fastest record behind English player Ian Botham’s 72.
His world records as a captain include most wickets, best bowling strike rate and best bowling average in test, and best bowling figures (8 wickets for 60 runs).

Awards

He received ‘The Cricket Society Wetherall Award’ for being the leading all-rounder in English first-class cricket, in 1976 and 1980.
He was honored with the ‘Sussex Cricket Society Player of the Year’ award in 1985.
He was awarded the second highest civilian award, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, from the Government of Pakistan.
In 2004, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Jewels Awards, London, towards his support for various charity programmes.
He was given the Humanitarian Award at the 2007 Asian Sports Awards, in Kuala Lumpur, for setting up the first cancer hospital in Pakistan.
He received the special silver jubilee award, along with other cricket legends, at the inaugural Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Awards, in Karachi, in 2009.
In 2009, he was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame, as part of its centennial year celebration.
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary fellowship, towards his efforts for cancer treatment in Pakistan, in 2012.
He was declared ‘Person of the Year 2012’ by Asia Society and listed at #3 in the ‘top nine world leaders’ by GlobalPost.

Trivia

This cricket legend belongs to a cricketing family, which has produced successful cricketers, like Javed Burki and Majid Khan, both being Oxford pass-outs and captains of Pakistan national team.

Latest News 2024

Wife of Imran Khan Was Given A 14-Year Term and Was Put in Jail in Part of Her Home

Imran Khan and his wife were handed a 14-year jail sentence by an accountability court in the Toshakhana case.

Islamabad

Bushra Bibi, who was sentenced to 14 years in the Toshakhana reference case, has been moved to Bani Gala, the Islamabad residence of her husband Imran Khan, designated as a sub-jail, ARY News reported.

The former first lady surrendered voluntarily before the accountability court in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team took her into custody. The Islamabad Chief Commissioner issued a notification declaring the residence of convict Bushra Bibi in Bani Gala as a sub-jail until further orders.

“The Chief Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory is pleased to declare the residence of convict Bushra Bibi (Residential Compound, Khan House Banigala, Mohra Noor, Islamabad) as Sub-Jail till further orders,” stated the notification.

Stringent security measures are in place, with jail staff stationed inside Bani Gala, while Islamabad Police personnel will remain outside Imran Khan’s residence, ARY News reported, citing sources.