Overview
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, born on October 5, 1952, in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, is a renowned Pakistani politician, former international cricketer, and philanthropist who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to April 2022. At 73 years old as of October 2025, Khan founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in 1996 and led it as chairman until 2023, championing anti-corruption, social justice, and youth empowerment. His journey from a cricket icon—who captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup victory—to a polarizing political leader has been marked by triumphs, scandals, and resilience, with PTI remaining a dominant force despite his ongoing imprisonment.
Early Life and Education
Khan was born into an affluent Pashtun (Pathan) family of the Niazi tribe in Lahore, with roots tracing back to the Shermankhel clan in Mianwali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As the only son among five siblings, he grew up in a nurturing environment shaped by his father’s civil engineering background and his mother’s influential Burki clan heritage. Khan’s early education took place at Aitchison College and Cathedral School in Lahore, followed by middle school at the Royal Grammar School in Worcester, England. He later graduated with honors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) from Keble College, Oxford, in 1975, where he honed his intellectual foundation for future endeavors in sports and governance.
Family Background
Khan’s family, the Niazis, boasts a storied Pashtun lineage with military and civic contributions; his paternal grandfather was a colonel in the British Indian Army. His father, Ikramullah Khan Niazi, was a civil engineer, while his mother, Shaukat Khanum, hailed from the prominent Burki family of cricketers and physicians. Khan has four sisters: Aleema Khan (a businesswoman and PTI activist), Uzma Khan, Rubina Khan (a journalist), and Rani Khan. His personal life includes three marriages: first to British artist Jemima Goldsmith (1995–2004), with whom he has two sons, Sulaiman Isa Khan (born 1996) and Kasim Khan (born 1999); second to British-Pakistani journalist Reham Khan (2015, annulled after 10 months); and third to spiritual advisor Bushra Bibi (2018–present), a former faith healer with whom he has no children, though she has five from her previous marriage. Rumors of illegitimate children, including one allegedly in India, have circulated but remain unverified and denied by Khan. His family has faced scrutiny, with Bushra Bibi imprisoned alongside him since 2023.
Cricket Career
Khan debuted for Pakistan in 1971 at age 18 and played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs until 1992, renowned as an all-rounder with 3,807 Test runs and 362 wickets. As captain from 1982–1992 (with a break), he led Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup triumph, his team’s only ICC title, earning him induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. His “cornered tigers” speech inspired the 1992 squad, cementing his legacy as Pakistan’s greatest cricketer.
Philanthropy and Pre-Political Ventures
Post-retirement in 1992, Khan channeled his fame into philanthropy, founding the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore in 1994 in memory of his mother, who died of cancer in 1985; it provides free treatment to underprivileged patients. He also established the Imran Khan Foundation (IKF) in 2006 and Namal University in Mianwali in 2008 to promote education in rural areas. These initiatives raised millions globally and underscored his shift toward social welfare.
Political Career
Khan entered politics in 1996 by founding PTI, envisioning a corruption-free “Naya Pakistan” (New Pakistan) focused on justice and accountability. Early elections (1997, 2002) yielded minimal seats, but PTI boycotted 2008 polls against Pervez Musharraf’s emergency rule, where Khan was briefly imprisoned. Momentum built in 2011 with massive Lahore rallies, attracting youth disillusioned by dynastic politics. In 2013, PTI secured Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), implementing reforms like health insurance and education drives. The 2018 elections marked PTI’s national victory, with Khan sworn in as PM, promising economic revival and anti-corruption purges. His tenure saw welfare programs like Ehsaas and Ehsaas Kafalat but struggled with inflation and COVID-19.
Premiership and Ouster
As PM, Khan prioritized foreign policy, mediating on Afghanistan and Kashmir, and was nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for South Asian peace efforts. Domestically, he clashed with the military (“Establishment”) over appointments, leading to his ouster via a no-confidence vote on April 10, 2022, which he decried as a U.S.-orchestrated conspiracy. Post-ouster, he led mass protests, survived an assassination attempt in November 2022, and was disqualified from office in 2023.
Controversies and Imprisonment
Khan’s post-PM era has been defined by over 186 legal cases, including Toshakhana (gifts), Al-Qadir Trust (corruption), and Iddat (marriage validity), leading to multiple convictions: 10 years in January 2024, 14 years in January 2025, and 7 years in February 2024 alongside Bushra Bibi. Arrested on May 9, 2023, amid May 9 riots, he received bail in August 2025 for those cases but remains detained in Adiala Jail on other sentences, alleging military-orchestrated “mental torture” and political vendetta. Controversies include cipher leaks, military ties, and PTI’s alleged election rigging in 2024, where independents backed by PTI won the most seats despite suppression. In December 2023, PTI controversially used AI to broadcast his prison-drafted speeches.
Recent Developments (2024–2025)
In the February 2024 elections, PTI-backed independents secured the largest vote share amid rigging allegations, but a coalition government formed under Shehbaz Sharif. Khan, ineligible to run, voted via postal ballot from prison. By 2025, he directed PTI leadership changes, including KPK CM Ali Amin Gandapur‘s resignation on October 9, 2025, replaced by Sohail Afridi, amid internal reforms. PTI continues protests for his release, with Khan vowing from jail to defend KPK’s mandate and criticizing military interventions. As of October 15, 2025, he remains incarcerated, with PTI alleging censorship, including blurred images on state TV.
Achievements and Contributions
Khan’s accolades include Pride of Performance (1992), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1997), and the 2018 Nishan-e-Pakistan for public service. He authored six books, including Imran: The Autobiography (1983), Warrior Race (1993), and Pakistan: A Personal History (2011), offering insights into cricket, culture, and politics. His philanthropy has treated over 75% of patients free at Shaukat Khanum, and PTI’s governance model in KPK influenced national welfare policies. Khan’s net worth is estimated at $50 million, derived from cricket, philanthropy, and PTI-related assets.
Personal Life
Standing at 6 feet (183 cm) tall, Khan is known for his athletic build and charismatic presence, often blending Western influences with conservative Islamic values. He resides primarily in Lahore but has been in Adiala Jail since 2023, where he alleges poor conditions, including isolation and insect bites. Active on social media via PTI channels, he engages supporters with messages of resilience.
Legacy
Imran Khan’s legacy endures as a transformative force, mobilizing Pakistan’s youth against corruption and inspiring global admiration for his cricket and humanitarian feats. Despite imprisonment and 186 cases, his influence persists, with PTI dominating 2024 polls and ongoing protests demanding his release, positioning him as a symbol of resistance against the establishment. As of October 2025, Khan’s calls for electoral audits and military neutrality continue to shape Pakistan’s volatile politics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Imran Khan
- Who is Imran Khan?
Imran Khan is a Pakistani politician, former cricketer, and philanthropist; founder of PTI and 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan (2018–2022). - What is Imran Khan’s date of birth?
He was born on October 5, 1952, in Lahore, Pakistan. - What is Imran Khan’s age?
As of October 2025, Imran Khan is 73 years old. - What is Imran Khan’s education?
He studied at Aitchison College, Lahore; Royal Grammar School, Worcester; and graduated in PPE from Keble College, Oxford (1975). - Who is Imran Khan’s wife?
His current wife is Bushra Bibi (married 2018); previous marriages to Jemima Goldsmith (1995–2004) and Reham Khan (2015). - Does Imran Khan have children?
Yes, two sons—Sulaiman Isa and Kasim—from his first marriage; Bushra Bibi has five children from a prior marriage. - What is Imran Khan’s family background?
Born into a Pashtun Niazi family; father Ikramullah Khan Niazi (civil engineer), mother Shaukat Khanum (Burki clan); four sisters. - Who is Imran Khan’s father?
Ikramullah Khan Niazi, a civil engineer from the Shermankhel clan. - What is Imran Khan’s height?
Approximately 6 feet (183 cm). - What is Imran Khan’s net worth?
Estimated at $50 million, from cricket, philanthropy, and PTI assets. - What is Imran Khan’s political party?
Founder and former chairman of PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), established in 1996. - What are Imran Khan’s major cricket achievements?
Captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup win; 88 Tests, 362 wickets; ICC Hall of Fame (2009). - Why was Imran Khan imprisoned?
Convicted in multiple cases including corruption (Al-Qadir Trust, 14 years in 2025) and marriage validity (Iddat, 7 years in 2024); alleges political motivation by military and government. - What happened in the 2024 Pakistan elections?
PTI-backed independents won the most seats amid rigging claims; Khan ineligible and voted from prison. - What is the Shaukat Khanum Hospital?
Cancer hospital founded by Khan in 1994 in memory of his mother; provides free treatment to 75% of patients. - Has Imran Khan written any books?
Yes, including Imran: The Autobiography (1983), Pakistan: A Personal History (2011), and Warrior Race (1993). - What is Imran Khan’s stance on the military?
Critical of the “Establishment,” accusing it of political interference; alleges it orchestrated his ouster and imprisonment. - What recent PTI changes occurred in 2025?
Khan directed KPK CM Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation on October 9, 2025, replaced by Sohail Afridi. - Did Imran Khan survive an assassination attempt?
Yes, shot in the leg during a November 2022 rally; he accused officials, denied by military. - Why is Imran Khan influential despite imprisonment?
PTI’s popularity endures; he guides via AI speeches and jail messages, symbolizing resistance against corruption and establishment control.
