An ethnic Pashtun, Khan is a graduate of the University of Oxford. He didn’t immediately enter politics after retiring from cricket; instead, he spent a few years as a philanthropist. Khan founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996, which marked his formal entry into the turbulent political landscape of his country. Khan toiled hard and despite PTI’s struggles at the polls, Khan carefully cultivated his image as an anti-corruption crusader. He became a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly when his party won one seat in the 2002 elections.
Following Sharif’s disqualification from office in 2017 because of the Panama Papers controversy, elections were held in 2018. PTI emerged as the single-largest party in the polls. Following which, Khan formed a coalition government to become the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan and entered the exclusive clubs of sportspersons who became politicians and acquired high office.
