Profiles World Leader
Imran Khan
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan
FORMER
CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE
Former cricket captain turned politician who led Pakistan during major India tensions and was removed from office in 2022
Quick Facts
- Country
- Pakistan
- Born
- October 5, 1952
- In Power Since
- August 18, 2018
- Last Updated
- July 19, 2025
This profile covers a controversial political figure currently facing legal challenges and political opposition.
Overview
Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018-2022, navigating major crises with India including the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and Kashmir tensions, before being removed through a no-confidence vote and facing subsequent legal battles.
Path to Politics
Cricket Legacy
- World Cup winning captain (1992)
- International cricket star
- National hero status
- Philanthropic work initiation
Political Formation
1996
PTI Foundation
Forms Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party
2002-2013
Electoral Struggles
Limited political success
2013
Breakthrough
Becomes major opposition party
July 2018
Election Victory
Wins plurality, forms government
April 2022
No-Confidence Vote
Removed from office
India Relations Management
2019 Crisis Response
- Balakot strike aftermath handling
- Military retaliation authorization
- Indian pilot capture and release
- Diplomatic de-escalation efforts
Peace Overtures
- Dialogue offer initiatives
- Trade normalization attempts
- Cricket diplomacy utilization
- Business community engagement
India-Pakistan Under Khan
Major Crises Handled
2
Balakot, Kashmir Article 370
Bilateral Meetings
0
No formal summits
Trade Volume 2019
$2.4B
Ceasefire Agreement
2021
LoC violence reduction
Kashmir Policy
Article 370 Response
- International forum approaches
- UN speech emphasis
- OIC mobilization efforts
- Global media engagement
Diplomatic Strategy
- Azad Kashmir visit
- International solidarity campaigns
- Human rights advocacy
- Conflict internationalization
Military Relations
Civil-Military Balance
- Army leadership cooperation
- Foreign policy alignment
- Security decision coordination
- Institutional respect maintenance
Defense Priorities
- Nuclear deterrence maintenance
- Conventional capability improvement
- Counter-terrorism operations
- Border security enhancement
Economic Challenges
Financial Crisis
- IMF bailout negotiations
- Currency devaluation management
- Inflation control efforts
- Debt restructuring initiatives
Development Agenda
- Poverty alleviation programs
- Infrastructure development
- Technology sector promotion
- Youth employment creation
Foreign Policy Approach
Regional Engagement
Key Relationships:
- China (CPEC partnership)
- Saudi Arabia (economic support)
- Turkey (political alignment)
- Iran (energy cooperation)
Challenges:
- US relationship complexity
- Afghanistan policy coordination
- Gulf states balance
- European engagement
Afghanistan Policy
Taliban Relations
- Peace process facilitation
- Post-withdrawal stability
- Refugee crisis management
- Regional security concerns
International Coordination
- US exit support
- Regional stakeholder engagement
- Humanitarian assistance
- Security cooperation
Domestic Governance
Anti-Corruption Drive
- Accountability court cases
- Opposition leader prosecutions
- Institutional reform attempts
- Transparency initiatives
Political Challenges
- Coalition government management
- Opposition alliance resistance
- Media criticism handling
- Judicial independence questions
Personal Background
Leadership Style
- Populist appeal emphasis
- Direct communication preference
- Social media engagement
- Anti-elite positioning
Ideological Framework
- Islamic welfare state vision
- Social justice emphasis
- Youth empowerment focus
- Corruption elimination priority
Removal from Office
No-Confidence Motion
- Opposition alliance formation
- Coalition partner defections
- Parliamentary defeat
- Constitutional transition
Aftermath Chaos
- Protest movement leadership
- Legal battle initiation
- Popular support maintenance
- Political comeback attempts
Current Legal Battles
Criminal Cases
- Corruption charges facing
- National security violations alleged
- Election commission disputes
- Court appearance requirements
Political Impact
- PTI party leadership challenges
- Electoral participation restrictions
- Popular movement continuation
- Institutional confrontation
India Policy Legacy
Achievements
- De-escalation management
- Ceasefire agreement facilitation
- International Kashmir advocacy
- Peace rhetoric maintenance
Limitations
- Structural issues unresolved
- Military incidents continuation
- Trade normalization failure
- Trust building absence
Historical Assessment
Khan’s India policy reflected constrained civilian leadership:
Positive Elements:
- Peace initiative attempts
- Crisis de-escalation skills
- International advocacy efforts
- Diplomatic maturity demonstration
Challenges:
- Military establishment influence
- Domestic political pressures
- Economic crisis limitations
- Regional dynamics constraints
His brief tenure highlighted Pakistani democracy’s fragility and civil-military relations complexity.
Post-PM Political Movement
Opposition Leadership
- Anti-government protests
- Electoral reform demands
- Corruption allegation campaigns
- International support mobilization
Popular Appeal
- Youth following maintenance
- Social media influence
- Anti-establishment narrative
- Reform agenda persistence
Regional Impact
Pakistan Politics
- Populist politics normalization
- Anti-corruption discourse
- Youth political engagement
- Democratic institution challenges
India-Pakistan Relations
- Missed opportunity assessment
- Structural problem persistence
- Future dialogue prerequisites
- Leadership transition impacts
This profile reflects the challenges of Pakistani political leadership in managing complex India relations while navigating domestic political constraints and institutional pressures.