imran khan as a leader essay

Leadership Lessons from Imran Khan: A Brief Analysis

Hey there, leadership enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the fascinating journey of one of the most inspiring leaders of our time – Imran Khan. You may know him as the former cricketer turned Prime Minister of Pakistan, but there’s so much more to this remarkable leader than meets the eye.

Studying successful leaders like Imran Khan is crucial for our personal and professional growth. By learning from their experiences and leadership styles, we can gain valuable insights that can help us excel in our own endeavors. In this post, we’ll explore some key leadership lessons we can glean from Imran Khan’s exceptional leadership journey.

From his unwavering vision for a better Pakistan to his commitment to integrity and transparency, Imran Khan has set a stellar example for leaders worldwide. We’ll take a closer look at how his determination, honesty, and empathetic leadership have shaped his success and inspired others to follow suit.

So buckle up, folks! Get ready to learn some invaluable leadership lessons from a true game-changer like Imran Khan. Let’s dive in and uncover the secrets to his phenomenal leadership success. Stay tuned for some eye-opening insights that you can apply to your own leadership journey. Let’s get started!

Table of Content

Leadership Lessons from Imran Khan

Now that we have a better understanding of Imran Khan’s background and leadership journey, let’s delve into the key leadership lessons we can learn from this inspiring leader. Imran Khan’s success is not just a result of luck, but a product of his strong vision, determination, integrity, and empathy.

Vision and Determination

One of the most remarkable qualities of Imran Khan is his unwavering vision for a better Pakistan. He not only envisioned a prosperous and corruption-free nation but also inspired others to believe in this vision. Like a captain steering a ship through stormy seas, Imran Khan remained focused on his goals despite facing numerous obstacles along the way. His determination to see his vision come to fruition is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience in leadership.

Integrity and Transparency

Imran Khan’s commitment to honesty and transparency sets him apart as a leader of high moral character. By leading with integrity, he earned the trust and respect of his followers. In a world where ethical leadership is often lacking, Imran Khan’s example serves as a beacon of light, reminding us of the importance of ethical behavior and accountability in leadership roles.

Empowering and Empathetic Leadership

Another key lesson we can learn from Imran Khan is the value of empowering team members and embracing empathy in leadership. Imran Khan believes in giving his team the freedom to innovate and make decisions, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among his followers. Additionally, his ability to connect with people on a personal level through empathy and understanding has helped him build strong relationships and loyalty among his followers.

As we continue to explore the leadership journey of Imran Khan, we will uncover more valuable lessons that can be applied to our own lives and careers. Stay tuned for the next installment where we recap these lessons and discuss how they can shape our own leadership paths.

Recap of key leadership lessons learned from Imran Khan

As we wrap up our exploration of leadership lessons from Imran Khan, it’s important to recap the key takeaways that we can apply to our own personal and professional journeys.

Imran Khan demonstrated the power of having a clear vision and unwavering determination. He showed us that having a vision for a better future and the determination to pursue it can inspire others to join your cause and work towards a shared goal. This teaches us the importance of setting ambitious goals and relentlessly working towards achieving them, even in the face of challenges and obstacles.

Reflection on how these lessons can be applied to your own leadership journey

When we look at Imran Khan’s commitment to integrity and transparency, we learn the value of earning trust and respect through ethical behavior and accountability. By being honest and transparent in our actions, we can build strong relationships with our team members and followers, leading to a more cohesive and effective team.

Imran Khan’s emphasis on empowering his team members and his empathetic leadership style remind us of the importance of valuing and understanding the perspectives and needs of those we lead. By empowering our team members to take ownership and encouraging innovation, we can create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.

Call to action for readers

As we conclude our study of Imran Khan’s leadership lessons, I urge you to continue learning from successful leaders and striving for growth in your own leadership skills. Take the time to reflect on these lessons and think about how you can apply them to your own leadership journey. Remember, leadership is a journey of continuous learning and growth, and by incorporating these lessons into your own leadership style, you can become a more effective and inspiring leader in your personal and professional life. So, let’s take inspiration from Imran Khan’s example and strive to make a positive impact in the world around us through our leadership.

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Essay On Imran Khan Personality

Imran Khan is a prominent figure in Pakistan’s political landscape, known for his charismatic personality and leadership style. Born on October 5th, 1952, in Lahore, Imran grew up in a privileged household and received a private education before entering the world of cricket. He went on to become one of Pakistan’s most successful cricket captains and led his team to victory in the 1992 World Cup.

However, Imran’s achievements on the cricket field are not what he is most renowned for today. After retiring from cricket, he entered politics and founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in 1996 with the aim of creating a ‘just and prosperous’ society.

Imran serves as Prime Minister of Pakistan after winning a majority in the country’s general elections in July 2018. This essay will explore Imran Khan’s personality traits that have contributed to his success as a leader and examine some of the challenges he has faced during his tenure as Prime Minister.

Early Life and Career as a Cricketer

Imran Khan’s early life and career as a cricketer were marked by his exceptional talent, determination, and dedication to the sport. Born on October 5, 1952 in Lahore, Pakistan , Imran grew up in an affluent family with a strong background in sports. His father was a successful businessman who had played cricket at the university level while his mother played tennis at national level.

Imran himself showed an early interest in cricket and began playing the game at the age of thirteen. His talent for cricket became apparent soon after he started playing the game. His natural athleticism, coupled with his fierce competitive spirit, made him stand out among his peers. He joined Lahore’s prestigious Aitchison College where he continued to hone his skills and develop into a formidable player.

In 1971, at the age of nineteen, Imran made his debut for Pakistan in an international match against England. Over the next few years, Imran established himself as one of Pakistan’s leading cricketers. He was known for his fast bowling and all-round abilities which helped him win many matches for Pakistan.

However, it wasn’t until 1982 that he truly came into his own when he led Pakistan to their first ever Test series victory against England. This was followed by several other notable achievements including leading Pakistan to victory in the World Cup tournament held in Australia in 1992. Throughout his career as a cricketer, Imran Khan remained focused on improving both himself and Pakistani cricket as a whole.

He worked tirelessly on developing new strategies and training methods that would help take Pakistani cricket to new heights of success. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers ever produced by Pakistan and an inspiration to millions around the world who admire not just his sporting prowess but also his personal qualities such as integrity, resilience and perseverance that defined him both on and off the field of play.

Political Journey and Founding of the PTI

The political landscape in Pakistan underwent a significant transformation in the early 1990s with the emergence of several new political parties. One of these was the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which was founded by Imran Khan, a well-known figure who had already achieved great success as a cricket captain.

In 1996, Khan established PTI as a political party with an aim to create an honest and transparent system to serve the people of Pakistan. Khan’s entry into politics was motivated by his desire to bring change and reform in Pakistani society. He believed that corruption, nepotism, and incompetence were rampant in the country’s political system and needed to be eliminated.

As he entered politics, he faced numerous challenges such as lack of resources, limited support from traditional power brokers, and criticism from established politicians who saw him as an outsider. Despite these hurdles, Khan remained determined and focused on his vision for a better future for Pakistan. He quickly gained popularity among young people due to his charisma and unwavering commitment to social justice.

His message resonated with many who were disillusioned with traditional Pakistani politics characterized by dynastic rule and patronage networks. Imran Khan’s decision to enter politics marked a new chapter in Pakistani history. His founding of PTI represented a break from traditional Pakistani politics dominated by powerful families.

Today, PTI is one of the largest political parties in Pakistan with millions of supporters across the country. Although Khan’s journey has been long and difficult at times, his persistence has paid off as he now serves as Prime Minister of Pakistan after winning elections in 2018 based on promises for economic reform and anti-corruption measures.

Charismatic Personality and Leadership Style

Charisma and leadership style are crucial factors that have contributed to the success of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party under Imran Khan’s leadership. Imran Khan is known for his charismatic personality, which has attracted a vast number of people towards him. He has a strong sense of conviction and an unwavering commitment to his cause, which makes him stand out from other politicians in Pakistan.

Imran Khan’s leadership style is unique, as he believes in leading by example. He is not afraid to take risks or make difficult decisions if he deems them necessary for the betterment of his party and country. He is also highly adaptable and can quickly change course if needed, making him an effective leader during uncertain times.

One critical aspect of Imran Khan’s leadership style is his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His humble beginnings as a cricketer have given him a deep understanding of the struggles faced by ordinary citizens, which he uses to address their concerns effectively. He has managed to build a loyal following by focusing on issues that matter most to them, such as corruption, poverty alleviation, and education.

Overall, Imran Khan’s charismatic personality and unique leadership style have played a significant role in the success of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. His ability to inspire people through his words and actions while also being highly adaptable has made him an effective leader who continues to transform Pakistani politics today.

Fight Against Corruption

The fight against corruption has been a central focus of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s agenda under the leadership of Imran Khan. Upon taking office as Prime Minister in 2018, Khan vowed to eradicate corruption from all levels of government and society.

He established the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials, and initiated several high-profile cases against politicians and bureaucrats accused of embezzlement and money laundering.

Khan’s anti-corruption campaign has faced criticism for being selective and politically motivated. Opposition parties accuse him of using NAB to target his opponents while turning a blind eye to corruption within his own party. However, supporters argue that Khan is committed to rooting out corruption regardless of political affiliations or personal relationships.

Despite these criticisms, Khan’s efforts have yielded some positive results. The World Bank’s 2020 Ease of Doing Business report ranked Pakistan at 108 out of 190 countries, up from 136 in 2019, citing improvements in ease of starting businesses, obtaining construction permits, and paying taxes. This improvement was attributed in part to Khan’s anti-corruption measures which have helped streamline bureaucratic processes and reduce red tape.

Imran Khan’s fight against corruption has been one of the defining features of his leadership style as Prime Minister of Pakistan. While his methods may be controversial, there is no denying that he has made progress in addressing this pervasive issue that has plagued Pakistani society for decades.

As he continues to push for greater transparency and accountability in government affairs, it remains to be seen whether he can truly succeed in eradicating corruption from all levels of Pakistani society.

Contribution to the Development of Pakistan

Pakistan has seen significant growth and development in recent years, with a focus on infrastructure projects, social welfare programs, and economic reforms. These developments have been spurred by the efforts of the government under the leadership of Imran Khan. As Prime Minister, he has made it one of his top priorities to develop Pakistan into a modern and prosperous nation.

Imran Khan’s contribution to the development of Pakistan can be seen in various fields. One such area is infrastructure development. Under his leadership, several mega-projects have been launched that aim to improve transportation access throughout the country. For instance, major highways have been constructed that connect different parts of Pakistan while other projects include improving railway systems and developing ports to promote trade with other nations.

Another area where Imran Khan has made significant contributions is social welfare programs. The government has initiated several schemes aimed at providing financial assistance to poor families and improving healthcare facilities across the country. For example, Ehsaas program is a flagship initiative that aims to alleviate poverty through various measures like cash transfers for deserving families, scholarships for students from low-income backgrounds, and health insurance for vulnerable segments of society.

Imran Khan’s economic reforms have played an essential role in stimulating growth in Pakistan’s economy. The government has taken steps towards fiscal discipline by reducing unnecessary expenses while increasing revenue collection through tax reforms. Additionally, special incentives have been given to foreign investors interested in investing in Pakistan’s growing economy.

In conclusion, Imran Khan’s contribution towards the development of Pakistan cannot be overstated; his efforts towards infrastructure development, social welfare programs and economic reforms are commendable achievements which will set Pakistan on a course towards becoming a prosperous nation that is capable of competing globally.

Challenges Faced as Prime Minister

Imran Khan, the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, has made significant contributions to the development of his country. However, his leadership journey has not been without challenges. As a leader, he faces numerous obstacles and hurdles that have tested his mettle and resolve.

One of the most significant challenges Imran Khan faced as Prime Minister was managing the economic crisis in Pakistan. The country’s economy was already struggling when he took office, but things worsened due to factors such as rising inflation, a devalued currency, and high public debt.

To address these issues, Imran Khan’s government launched an austerity program aimed at reducing government spending and increasing revenue generation. While these measures were necessary to stabilize the economy in the long run, they were unpopular among many Pakistanis who bore the brunt of their impact.

Another challenge that Imran Khan faced was dealing with corruption within the political establishment. Corruption has been a persistent problem in Pakistan for decades and is one of the biggest obstacles to its progress and development.

Since taking office, Imran Khan has made efforts to root out corruption by creating an anti-corruption unit tasked with investigating cases involving high-level officials. However, this approach has also faced criticism from those who believe it is politically motivated or insufficiently effective.

In addition to economic struggles and corruption, another challenge that Imran Khan faces is navigating Pakistan’s complex foreign policy landscape. The country shares borders with several countries that are crucial for its strategic interests but also pose security threats such as India and Afghanistan.

Additionally, Pakistan’s relationship with major global powers like China and the United States can be fraught with tensions due to geopolitical considerations. Balancing these competing interests requires diplomatic finesse and strategic acumen on part of leaders like Imran Khan.

Despite these challenges facing him as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan remains committed to working towards achieving development goals for his country while maintaining stability both domestically and internationally. His leadership style is marked by a determination to tackle tough issues head-on and find pragmatic solutions.

As he continues to govern, it remains to be seen how he will navigate the many challenges that lie ahead.

Strategies for Overcoming Challenges

Navigating challenges as a national leader requires a strategic and pragmatic approach to problem-solving that prioritizes the long-term interests of the country. Imran Khan, as Prime Minister of Pakistan, has faced several challenges in his tenure so far. These include economic instability, political polarization, and security threats from both within and outside the country.

To overcome these challenges, Khan has implemented various strategies that aim to address their root causes. One of Khan’s strategies for overcoming economic instability has been to focus on increasing exports and decreasing imports by promoting local industries. He has also launched initiatives such as the Ehsaas program which aims to provide social safety nets to marginalized communities. Additionally, his government has taken steps towards reducing corruption in public institutions which is seen as an impediment to economic growth.

To tackle political polarization, Khan has attempted to create a more inclusive governance system by reaching out to opposition parties and addressing their concerns through dialogue rather than confrontation. He also appointed members from minority communities in key positions within his government which was lauded as a positive step towards inclusivity.

With regards to security threats from terrorist organizations operating both inside and outside Pakistan’s borders, Khan’s government has taken strict measures such as launching military operations against militant groups in tribal areas along the Afghan border. The government also increased cooperation with international partners such as China and Saudi Arabia who have assisted Pakistan in combating terrorism.

In conclusion, Imran Khan’s pragmatic approach towards solving problems faced by Pakistan reflects his leadership style characterized by a willingness to take bold decisions when necessary while keeping long-term interests at heart. However, it remains to be seen whether these strategies will be successful in overcoming the complex challenges facing Pakistan today or not.

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Imran Khan: From Cricket Batsman to Populist Captain Tabdeli of Pakistan

• February 10, 2021

Yilmaz, Ihsan & Shakil, Kainat. (2021). “Imran Khan: From Cricket Batsman to Populist Captain Tabdeli of Pakistan.” ECPS Leader Profiles. European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS). February 10, 2021. https://doi.org/10.55271/lp0006

Imran Khan is not the first to use  populism  to wield power in Pakistan. Religious leaders, political figures, and military generals have used faith and the promise of a better life to gain support or legitimize their actions. The uniqueness of Khan’s  populism  lies in the fact that he has been able to condense a host of diverse ideologies into a coherent  populist narrative  that has endeared him to “ the people .” 

By Ihsan Yilmaz & Kainat Shakil

Imran Khan’s journey to the corridors of parliament is unique for a country like Pakistan. Most political personalities in Pakistan have risen from the landed elites (the  jagirdars ), a small group of business tycoons, or the military – the latter, dictators turned “democrats.” 

Pakistan’s first democratic, pseudo-populist leader, the iconic Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was a member of the landed elite in Sindh; his grandfather and father were both active in the politics of British India. Following Bhutto’s execution, leaders from his party, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), were family members, including his daughter Benazir Bhutto, his son-in-law Asif Ali Zardari, and currently, his grandson, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. 

The other major leadership during the country’s intermittent democratic periods have emerged from the Sharif family. With a background in the steel industry, the brothers Shahbaz and Nawaz Sharif rose to power in the 1980s, promoted by the dictator Zia ul Haqas as a right-wing counter to the left-leaning PPP. The Sharifs rose to power from the heartland of Punjab; today, the second generation of Sharifs is guided by Mariam Nawaz and Hamza Shahbaz, the faces of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N). 

Amidst this backdrop, smaller parties have also horse-traded, generally relying on fraternity, kinships, wealth, and religion to amass support. 

Imran Khan’s immediate family did not come from an elite business or agrarian background. Rather, he was raised in an upper-middle-class family with an engineer father and a homemaker mother. He did not pursue politics as a career until his late 40s; before politics, played international cricket. To understand Khan’s political personality, one must thoroughly understand his public image before his political career began.  

The Iconic Sportsperson  

It is notable that many populist leaders portray themselves as a political “outsider,” thus promising a fresh start. Khan is also considered an outsider. An iconic cricketer, Khan dominated the cricketing world in the 1980s and 1990s. He was an Oxford-educated, anglicized Pakistani sportsman who spent most of his time overseas. Even before he became a national hero in 1992, Khan was a well-liked figure in Pakistan, due to his boyish charm and sportsmanship.

He became a hero while captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won its first and only Cricket World Cup in 1992 after a hotly contested match against England. Cricket is one of the most watched and followed sports in Pakistan and holds a deep national significance. To millions of Pakistanis, Khan was the leader who led the nation to the much-awaited victory. The victory is cemented in the collective memory of Pakistanis as a miracle made possibly by Khan’s leadership. The Prime Minster and his party members have repeatedly used the victory to reaffirm the people ’s faith in the “Captain’s” capabilities.      

To gain legitimacy as a political leader, Khan extensively changed his personal outlook, from that of a Westernized cricketer to an Islamized philanthropic politician. In 1988, Khan published an autobiographical account of his life in  Imran Khan: An All-Rounder View . Revised in 1993, this was an account of his cricketing career. He also discussed coming to terms with his Muslim heritage and identity after spending considerable time in Western institutions. Khan put out another title in 1989,  Imran Khan’s Cricket Skill s. This book was meant for fans of the sport, to be used as a guide for honing their cricket skills. Using his celebrity status, Khan published a travelogue,  Indus Journey: A Personal View of Pakistan  in 1990. After admitting that he had come to terms with his identity, in his travelogue, Khan crossed the country and relived his memories of visiting key settlements and remains along the Indus River, showcasing Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage [2] . 

Three years later, in 1993, Khan published  Warrior Race: A Journey Through the Land of the Tribal Pathans . The books dug even deeper into his heritage. The progression of his books shows that during the last years of his cricket career, he increasingly identified with his Pakistani and Muslim identity, shunning his westernized influences. His increasing interest and concern for Pakistan was visible in the considerable amount of time he began spending on philanthropy. Khan established the first cancer hospital in Pakistan, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, in 1994. There was a personal side to this act, as Khan’s mother had succumbed to cancer which inspired him build the hospital. 

The hospital now has branches in Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi (under construction). They provide world class free healthcare to oncology patients who could otherwise not afford treatment. Khan’s charitable work also led him to establish a not-for-profit educational institute, Namal. 

He accomplished these mega projects with tremendous support and faith from the public. He ran unparalleled cross-cultural campaigns to raise funds. The fundraisers were high-profile events; Princess Diana of Wales even attended one, while at the grassroots level, children called “Tigers” collected funds for the cause.  

The “reformed” image of an anglicized schoolboy become Pakistan’s hero philanthropist helped start Khan’s political career: Khan launched his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), [3]  in 1996. PTI was a small, personality-driven party, run by Khan and several of his close friends and family members. The party catered to the population with a promise of reformist ideals – to deliver “justice” to “ the people .” 

Khan needed to cut his ties with this “Western” past. He needed to move from national hero to Islamic philanthropist. Starting his sentences with “Bismillah,” thanking god for his blessings, and using rhetoric claiming he’d fallen “victim” to the “colonial” ways before finding the “true path” helped connect him to many Pakistanis.

The Beginning of a Political Career

In his most recent publication,  Pakistan: A Personal History , published in 2011, Khan largely focused on his struggles with the PTI. He repeatedly and aggressively asserts his “Muslimness” in this book, a shift that coincides with his changing political ideology. Khan aligned himself with the populist religious sentiments of the conservative populace, a necessity for gaining political support.  

Khan was married to Jemima Goldsmith from 1995 to 2004. Goldsmith comes from a well-known Jewish family from Britain; this was a huge problem for Khan’s public image in Pakistan, where anti-Semitism and Zionist conspiracy theories are common  (Aafreedi, 2019).  It was unclear during the period if Goldsmith accepted Islam or not, another scandalous issue for Khan. He was also frequently photographed at niche, elite parties, where alcohol was the norm. [4] There were alleged affairs with models and socialites, further tarnishing his image. To make matters worse, Sita White, an American heiress, claimed Khan was the father of her daughter born out of wedlock (a claim disputed by Khan) [5]   (Irish Times, 1997) . 

Khan needed to cut his ties with this “Western” past. He needed to move from national hero to Islamic philanthropist. Starting his sentences with “Bismillah,” thanking god for his blessings, and using rhetoric claiming he’d fallen “victim” to the “colonial” ways before finding the “true path” helped connect him to many Pakistanis, who feel defying the “Western” way of life is a test of one’s Muslimness. 

Khan was offered positions in the government of dictator General Zia ul Haq in 1988 and later in a caretaker government in 1993; he declined both  (Mir, 2018) . His decision to stay as an “outsider” further bolstered his claims as a political leader not chasing money or power but seeking to fight for the people . 

Amidst this backdrop, Khan and the PTI competed in their first general elections in 1997. Their symbol was the cricket bat, despite Khan focusing more on his humanitarian work inspired by key Muslim figures such as Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Though the party lost handily, Khan stayed in the public eye. He was critical of the PML-N government and the military status quo under Pervez Musharraf. Khan’s message was simple: “end corruption, clear out the political mafias”  (The Guardian, 2008) . He again declined invitations and pressure to join the pro-Musharraf alliance led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-Q), once more maintaining his status as an outsider  (Mir, 2018) . 

It was during this time that Khan became a fixture on the evening shows on several newly formed private television channels. He used this platform to voice his concerns for what he called “ the people ’s issues.” 

The PTI won their first seat in the National Assembly in 2002. Post-9/11, Pakistan was engulfed in the war on terror. Pakistan’s proximity to Afghanistan made it a close ally of the US and the Bush administration. On Pakistan’s western front, a porous border, wild terrain, a lack of governance, and the presence of local radical factions allowed for fleeing Taliban members to seek shelter. Over the next decade, Pakistan was seriously impacted by the war in Afghanistan. Public and military buildings – including markets, shrines, and schools – were targeted by  suicide bombers; radicalism surged, and so did the military’s involvement in various operations in an attempt to drive out the radicals. The US used drones to target various radical and Taliban leaders, killing large numbers of civilians and destroying property. The region saw an influx of refugees from Afghanistan and scores of internally displaced people, too. 

It was during this time that Khan became a fixture on the evening shows on several newly formed private television channels. He used this platform to voice his concerns for what he called “ the people ’s issues.” He railed against the government for not aiding internally displaced citizens and for becoming so dependent on the US, it wouldn’t object to the drone strikes on sovereign Pakistani soil. Educated, middle-class Pakistanis responded to his humanitarian narrative: “Are these people not humans? These humans have names. Drone attacks are a violation of human rights”  (Chowdhry & Houreld, 2012) .  

Khan took an openly critical view of the situation, and one of his interviews sums up his stance: “We (Pakistan and the CIA and USA), created these militant groups to fight the Soviets… Jihadis were heroes then……. the US packs up and leaves Afghanistan… And we were left with these groups…. Pakistan again joins the US (post 9/11) in the war on terror and now we are required to go after these groups as terrorists… so, Pakistan took a real battering in this”  (Press Trust of India, 2019) . 

Opposition to government and US involvement continued throughout this period. These views were in line with public sentiment, as most conservatives opposed the US and civil society felt cornered under the autocratic, military-led government. Another humanitarian issue, popular in war torn areas and amongst civil society groups, concerned missing persons [6] . Khan also took up the mantle for this cause, specifically missing persons from Balochistan. Once more, the government was seen as negligent and too beholden to the US  (Mir, 2018) . 

Khan was the politician who brought these issues to light while the PPP and PML-N stayed silent on matters regarding, for instance, the right to a free trial and other civil liberties and safeties. Khan was “brave” and “outspoken,” a man who spoke for “justice” by standing up to the US. After winning his first seat in the National Assembly, Khan continued his crusade against US influence and “puppet politicians” as he spent most of his time in office acting as a lone opposition voice on terrorism-related issues and civilian rights. By the end of the Musharraf regime, Khan had staged several protests – such as hunger strikes – for the restoration of unconstitutionally dismissed judges and actively took part in an alliance along with other major parties and civil society members to call for new and fair elections in 2008  (Inskeep, 2008; Walsh 2007) . 

Khan’s increasing anti-West rhetoric also coincided with his divorce from Goldsmith in 2004. The former cricketer, who once frequently wore Western clothes, now appeared increasingly in the Pakistani-styled  kurta  and  shalwar  and was no longer married to a “Jewish foreigner.” He increasingly raised “Muslim” issues and characterized the American war in Afghanistan and its impacts on Pakistan as a “West versus Islam” issue, a highly popular narrative with the general public. He became the face of the protests surrounding issue of desecrating the Quran at Guantanamo Bay in 2005. Khan exclaimed, “This is what the US is doing… desecrating the Quran”  (Rajghatta, 2005) . His comments greatly undermined Musharraf, causing mass civil unrest in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which led to 16 people killed in rioting in Afghanistan  (The Week, 2020) . As part of his opposition to Pakistan’s involvement in the war on terror, he also led protests to blockade food and army supplies from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the Peshawar highway, en route to Afghanistan  (Express Tribune, 2011).  All of this was viewed as “heroic” in the eyes of many Pakistanis who did not approve of their country’s involvement in the American’s Afghan war.       

Khan refused to partake in the 2008 elections, which he felt were not free and fair. Questioning the electoral credibility of the country’s democratic system added a new dimension to his populism . Before the elections he said, “Across the spectrum, from the right to the left, [Pakistanis] want Musharraf to go…. The U.S. administration must be getting this information. In Pakistan, according to all the polls, [U.S. officials] are backing someone who is deeply unpopular in the country”  (Inskeep, 2008) . He expressed deep resentment towards the regime.  Soon, Musharraf resigned, and a PPP-led government came to power while Khan remained outside politics until his party participated again in the 2013 elections, where they had their most successful campaign ever, winning a majority of seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. 

Remodelling the Kaptan [7]   

Khan rapidly rebranded from 2008-2013. His new, populist, Islamized brand was spread on private media channels and on social media platforms such as Facebook.

He increasingly asserted that his decision to enter politics was for “ the people ” and not for fame, money, or power – in contrast to the “corrupt elite” politicians who were in power. Khan also asserted he felt the “pain” of the masses and sought inspiration from the work of pan-Islamist philosophers and freedom movement political leaders, to finally realize the Pakistan that Muhammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned. Since his autobiography’s publication in 2011, Khan used the examples of Prophet Mohammed and the first four Muslim Caliphs to highlight his aspirations to deliver good governance on the “Islamic model.” 

By the early 2010s, Imran Khan had shunned his western ways and aligned with populist issues concerning religion and governance. He said, “I call them [‘Westernized’ Pakistanis] coconuts: brown on the outside, white on the inside, looking at Pakistan through a westernised lens” (Walsh, 2011). Before the 2013 elections, he leaned into anti-American rhetoric, anti-corruption slogans, and quick fixes to the people ’s problems – and he spread this message at huge rallies called jalsas, hosted across the country. 

While Khan had become more “Muslim,” his outlook and rhetoric balanced this newfound religiosity with a host of liberal ideologies. While using references to Islam and anti-corruption slogans, he was also able to masterfully use crude, common, and at times bold language to challenge the status quo , which resonated with the masses.     

While Khan had become more “Muslim,” his outlook and rhetoric balanced this newfound religiosity with a host of liberal ideologies. On most issues, he remained vague – the biggest example of this being his conviction about the “good” and “bad” Taliban. Khan has repeatedly asserted that the Taliban were created by the US as a counter to the Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the 1980s; abandoned by the US, these groups – originally called the  Mujahideen  – turned against their former allies, resulting in the 9/11 attacks  (Afzal, 2019; Mullah, 2017).  Khan sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict and blamed the Pakistani and American governments for using controversial measures. To liberal factions, his call for meditation and rehabilitation was appealing, as military intervention had only made matters worse. At the same time, anti-West rhetoric was popular in conservative groups and his sympathy for the group, which Khan believed was justified by Islam, earned him the trust of extremist factions which previously saw him as part of Zionist conspiracy theories  (Boone, 2012).

Khan saw cosmic justice or karma in the Taliban’s “freedom fight” against the “ outsiders ”; with full confidence, Khan asserted, “It is very clear that whoever is fighting for their freedom is fighting a jihad … The people who are fighting in Afghanistan against the foreign occupation are fighting a jihad”  (Boone, 2012; Dawn; 2012).  Khan supported the ultra-right-wing coalition Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and opposed operations against radical militants in the tribal areas. He also protested madrassa reforms. Together, these stances earned him the moniker, “Taliban Khan” in international media – and favourable reception at home in both conservative and liberal circles  (Pataudi, 2012; Guardian, 2005).   

Corruption and governance were frequent features in Khan’s vocabulary. The PPP’s leader, Asif Ali Zardari, was known for rampant corruption during his wife’s last two tenures as prime minister. This supported Khan when he called out the “corrupt elite.” The PTI leader soon attacked PML-N leaders, such as Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, questioning their development programs in Punjab – and in particularly Lahore, the province’s capital and the hometown stronghold of the Sharifs. These programs were accused of focusing on infrastructure and beautification, ignoring the rampant poverty. Khan cast himself as an outsider and promised to fix the “people’s” problems. He wouldn’t fill his pockets with “blood money.” Khan’s views can be summed up in an interview: 

“I have been critical of the generals in the past. I told them they are selling our blood for dollars…But this is not martial rule. [8]  It’s up to our corrupt government to take responsibility… We [him and the PTI] would go back to the people ” (Walsh, 2011).

Media and social media brought Khan unapparelled fame, as his populist rhetoric was well received by the masses who yearned for change and relief. PTI  jalsas  were a unique occurrence and designed to create an intimate connection between “the leader” and “ the people .” PTI might have been the political party with many faces, but Imran Khan  was  the face of these gatherings. 

Paradoxically, Khan’s image successfully attracted members of the middle class to his gatherings. These events were like much loved  melas [9] . Unlike other political rallies, they featured dancing – with women free to partake – and musical performance by leading Pakistani bands and singers. Particularly attracting urban younger and more “modern” citizens, [10]  these rallies – headlined by fiery speeches by Khan – were a mainstay of social media ;  tabdeli  was a trending hashtag. The huge fan following that Imran Khan amassed led his followers to be called  youthias  (youngsters), or more commonly  insafyans   (justice seeks). By the early 2010s, Khan’s populism was an amalgamation of piecemeal ideologies rooted in Islamism, anti-Westernism, anti-elitism, calls for public reforms, and a desire to give “power” to the people . Together, he was seeking change – or what he called  tabdeli . Thousands had gathered at the PTI’s Lahore gathering in 2011, making Khan a formidable contender by the 2013 general elections. 

The PR rebranding had paid: had transformed from a Western captain to an Islamized  kaptan  (Urdu word for captain). These mass gathering were called  tsunamis  – a symbol for the revolutionary change that Imran Khan would bring; using his “bat” he would “knock out” the wicked and corrupt and lead the country to the “people’s victory” and “glory.” 

This image was not accidental: it was crafted in the speeches Khan delivered. While using references to Islam and anti-corruption slogans, he was also able to masterfully use crude, common, and at times bold language to challenge the status quo , which resonated with the masses. He was considered bold for calling out the state’s pattern of taking a “begging bowl” to the IMF or US. At the same time, he crudely yet hysterically poked fun at Zardari and the Sharifs on the basis of their appearances or policy decisions, evoking deep emotions through his charisma combined with a “common” style  (Kari, 2019) .        

Khan became a pop cultural icon. Clothing lines designed women’s clothing such as  kurtas  and scarfs with Khan’s faces on them; kids and women painted their faces with the colour of PTI flags for the rallies  (Dawn 2015) . Fan carried or wore pop-art posters and badges. Wearing an Imran Khan themed item was a political statement against the status quo . Khan’s online army of  insafyans  was busy sharing video featuring his rallies and quotes, as well as memes comparing him to the country’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah  (Mufti, 2016) .

Polls showed that 68 percent saw Khan as the favoured leader in the county. During this period, Khan’s “official account got around 100,000 hits daily and a Facebook account [received] 500,000 [hits]”  (Mufti, 2016) . The virtual space worked in his favour; given his background as a sports star, he knew how to optimize his public presence and earned the title “Facebook Khan”  (Gulzar, 2018) . Khan was a national populist phenomenon who captivated conventional and social media .     

Social media followers still rave when Khan’s official account posts his workout pictures, which make him seem active, hard-working, and glamorous compared to his counterpart Nawaz Sharif, known for his gluttonous indulgences. Khan’s social media army is highly intolerant of any opposition directed at their leader; they have been known to be abusive towards various factions of society, a sign of how deeply they believe in Khan and his message. Some call them “blind followers”  (Mehdi, 2013).  The supporters’ sentiments have been adopted by Khan’s increasingly autocratic populism . He has openly targeted his critics by calling them agents of “India’s fascist government”; since taking power, he has simply used regulatory authorities to muffle dissent or criticism directed towards him or the party.                

From Pakistan’s Last Hope to “U-Turn” Khan 

Imran Khan successfully framed the election as a choice between corrupt politicians and an honest man who already had money and fame but was willing to risk it all because he felt the nation’s pain and wanted to restore Pakistan to greatness.

Mainstream Opposition (2013-2018) 

Before 2013, Khan announced that his party would hold internal by-elections to prove they were different from the mainstream parties, which remain feudalistic and hereditary. This further strengthened his image as a populist outsider who was willing to diverge from business as usual. However, this was merely a distraction from the criticism that was mounting when PTI welcomed “electable” politicians – defectors from the mainstream political parties  (Mufti, 2016). Khan’s experience made him understand the need for electable politicians. Khan argued: “You contest elections to win. You don’t contest elections to be a good boy. I want to win. I am fighting elections in Pakistan, not Europe. I can’t import European politicians”  (Rehman 2018) . In a party statement, PTI said: “The nation must strengthen the hands of Imran Khan since he is the only politician who can steer the country out of the prevailing crisis”  (Sadaqat, 2017) . Thus, anyone critical of the party’s leader was a supporter of the corrupt elites – or, worse, an unpatriotic citizen who did not want to make Pakistan a better place. “True people” were those who supported PTI; the rest were naïve or traitors and following the “old ways”; they weren’t ready for the change that would build a “New Pakistan.”           

Two major developments occurred when Imran Khan secured his tenure in the 2013 elections. Firstly, PTI formed a provincial government in KPK province by aligning with the ultra-right Jamaat-e-Islmai (JI). Khan pledged to reform KPK over the next five years. The party implemented new policies, include welfare reforms, a reformist agenda for public office, an effort to improve technology, and calls for justice. All of this was in line with Khan’s promises for a  naya [11] Pakistan  (Daudzai, 2018) .  

The technocratic solutions in KPK, made to directly benefit the people , were placed in sharp contrast to the infrastructure-led developments made in Punjab, the stronghold of the Sharif brothers and the ruling party. He mocked the PML-N leaders as  jangla-Sharifs   with their   jangla bus project; [12]  While Khan’s policies benefitted the people , the PML-N was accused of using development projects to support their steel business by pocketing public funds  (Daily Motion, 2017) . PTI’s tree planting drive in KPK also earned Khan great support, as he became a rare politician who was concerned about climate change in a country where the leaders never pay attention to it  (Gishkori, 2020) .  

Unfortunately for Khan and the PTI, it was soon clear that his populist agenda was not easily translatable into effective policies. While KPK was the model for PTI’s policies, the technocratic reforms brought little development for the common people, as governance – especially at the local level – remained incapacitated, making it impossible to implement policies  (Daudzai, 2018).

Moreover, Khan had pressed for “peaceful” resolutions to the insurgent violence in the province; yet during the PTI’s tenure, two military operations were carried out – Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. Further, to appease the JI faction of their coalition, Khan turned a blind eye to the Islamization of school curriculums in the province; rather than rehabilitation and deradicalization – a PTI promise – public education was Islamized, with Quran classes made compulsory in schools  (Abbasi, 2017; Dawn, 2014) . 

Ironically, Khan – who had opposed the Lahore transit project launched by Shahbaz Sharif – developed his very own metrobus project in Peshawar, KPK’s capital. He carefully marketed it as holistic, transparent, cost effective, and for the people ; in reality, the project was behind schedule and over budget  (Khan, 2019).  And after having railed against corruption, Khan’s “tree tsunami” project was embroiled in a corruption scandal  (Gishkori, 2020) . 

To divert attention from PTI’s failure to deliver on its promises, Khan used his time in office to attack PML-N’s leadership. It was an effort to gain anti-establishment support. Khan’s magnetic presence in the media allowed him to shift attention elsewhere. His crafty oratory, frank mannerisms, and fiery speeches made him the man to “save” Pakistan from the PML-N’s corrupt leadership. 

Khan successfully framed the election as a choice between corrupt politicians and an honest man who already had money and fame but was willing to risk it all because he felt the nation’s pain and wanted to restore Pakistan to greatness  (Yousaf, 2015; Dailymotion, 2016).

His skills were highlighted when the 2014 “Azadi March” was launched. It featured scores of political rallies across the country, and PTI joined hands with the right-wing religious party, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), which was spearheaded by Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri for a mass sit-in in Islamabad. The mission of the march was to “unmask corruption,” but Khan famously said, “This [the Azadi March] is beyond it [election rigging campaign]… the Pakistani people are not sheep that can be herded; we must empower people”  (Dailymotion, 2014).

The usual  jalsas  were attended by thousands. They were no longer just for the middle class, but the working class, too. Khan gained support for his  naya  Pakistan agenda. His plan merged three key elements: Islamism, conspiracies, and a promise for welfare reforms. The country was seeing price hikes of basic commodities despite huge foreign investments being made by China. Khan merged the ideologies of welfare-ism and Islamism when he promised that  naya  Pakistan would be modelled on the state of Medina, from the times of Prophet Mohammad. Khan promised to end corruption in 19 days and terrorism in 90 days, and a key feature of this promise hinged on bringing “back every single penny of the looted money from the corrupt political leaders”  (The News, 2020). 

Khan introduced a highly ambitious 100-day agenda which promised to bring back looted wealth and to implement welfare policies and governance for the people  (Pakistan Today, 2018).  His party has presented him as the “struggling hero” who sleeps on the ground or in a container, in the cold, just like the ordinary people. The party has also emphasized his struggle to bring power to the Pakistani people and to guide them in the light of the Qur’an and best Islamic practices, to eliminate the injustices and corruption of the political elite and foreign powers  (Dailymotion, 2014).

The release of the Panama Papers further aided Khan’s cause of driving out “corrupt politicians,” when the names of Nawaz Sharif and his family members surfaced in money embezzlement cases. Khan promised vengeance and liberation from the “blood sucking” politicians, a message that especially resonated with young voters. One of his speeches summarized his tone: “Nawaz Sharif! Nawaz Sharif you shall be held accountable! You all shall be held accountable! Nawaz Sharif you will be the first one held accountable and after that each and every one shall be accounted for!”  (YouTube, 2016) . The crowd chanted, “Go Nawaz Go,” in support of Khan – the chant became the number one trending hashtag in Pakistan. 

In addition to the mass rallies, Khan pushed court cases against Nawaz Sharif and his family members; this led to the former being disqualified from office. During a “Thanksgiving”  jalsa [13]  Khan started his speech by thanking Allah and congratulating the masses on their first “victory.” He claimed this was only the beginning of the country’s journey to greatness  (Khan, 2016).  Like most populists, Khan promised deliverance without clear plans, yet the pro-public sentiment of his statements earned considerable support among the disaffected populace.  

By 2018, Khan had transformed into a  kaptan  by promising a Muslim welfare state where all the corrupt sinners would be jailed and Pakistan would no longer be a beggar or a puppet of America. Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification was his trophy, which he flaunted to the public ahead of the 2018 elections.

Imran Khan previously criticized politicians as “ribbon cutters” who used ceremonies for PR purposes; however, since assuming office, he has attended countless ceremonies of projects that have been launched at the planning level but have not yet been fulfilled. Faced with constant U-turns, Khan has also used a blend of conspiracy theories and misuse of state institutions to distract from the shortcomings of his leadership and government. 

Leadership (2018-Present)

Since assuming office as prime minister, Khan has done something of a U-turn. Since coming to power, the PTI has been unable to deliver on any of its promises, other than building a special task force to recover looted national wealth  (Dawn, 2021).  Promises of shelter, social welfare, youth job creation, access to quality education, and other ideals have been left on the drawing board or halted  (Dawn, 2021) . For instance, the promise to end corruption in the first 100 days vanished . 

Imran Khan previously criticized politicians as “ribbon cutters” who used ceremonies for PR purposes; however, since assuming office, he has attended countless ceremonies of projects that have been launched at the planning level but have not yet been fulfilled  (Qayum, 2020) . 

To gain clout, Khan has successfully renamed welfare programs for PR purposes; for example, the Benazir Income Support Program’s (BISP) elements have been merged and branded with the Ehsas Welfare Program; and health cards that were launched during the last government are now rebranded as the  Sehat Suhalat  Program  (Shat Suhalat, 2021; Junaidi, 2016).  Such rebranding is a common practice in Pakistan. Khan promised to end Pakistan’s “brain drain” by inviting technocrats from overseas to “fix” the country, and so far, it has ended in a disaster, as Tania Aidrus, who was leading the digital Pakistan initiative, has resigned, and Zafar Mirza, the advisor on heath, did the same. Khan’s failure to deliver has meant that his promise to attract foreign investment from expat Pakistanis has failed to materialize  (Khan, 2020 ). 

Not only has Imran Khan been unable to instil change, but under his leadership, a lot of backtracking from promises has been made. Two examples include Dr. Atif Mian being dismissed from the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) based on his religious identification with the Ahmadi school of thought, [14]  and Khan taking “the begging bowl” to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after years of severe criticism of the IMF  (Farmer, 2020; Dawn, 2020). 

Faced with constant U-turns, Khan has used a blend of conspiracy theories and misuse of state institutions to distract from the shortcomings of his leadership and government. Since coming into government, he has used the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to attack opposition media such as the Jang Group and subsidiaries such as Geo Channel  (Ellis-Petersen & Baloch, 2019).  Under the Khan government, any anti-state or government content seen on social media is portrayed as an “outside” attack, intended to alter the perspectives of Pakistani citizens  (Butt, 2021) . 

Moreover, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has, throughout PTI’s tenure, targeted various PML-N leaders on suspicion and accusations of corruption. While there are credible accusations of corruption, PTI has mostly escaped scrutiny despite similar allegations  (Farooq, 2020; Shar; 2019, Zubair, 2019).  In addition to PEMRA, Khan’s government has created tighter rules for social media regulation under the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020; these acts grant the government a permit to ask Google, YouTube, and other sites to ban or block content they consider unfit  (Chabba, 2020).

Khan has also been directly confrontational towards the judiciary. In 2007, he went on a hunger strike to support the judiciary, and in 2017, he praised them for their “just” decision to dismiss Nawaz Sharif from office; during his tenure, he has pressured the judiciary on two occasions. Khan and the PTI used parliament to overrule the judiciary, extending the service tenure of the Chief of Army Staff. He also challenged the death sentence handed out to dictator Pervez Musharraf . Referencing Musharraf’s death sentence, Khan said, “People’s trust in judicial system has been shaken”  (Dawn, 2020) . 

Khan’s tenure has seen increasing inflation and unemployment, in addition to the already dire economic conditions. The opposition parties have formed a coalition to challenge his office. Khan has called this opposition anti-state and enemies of the state; he’s called them “Indian” agents and members of foreign plots against Pakistan. This populist rhetoric resonates with Pakistanis who have been using conspiracy theories for decades to externalize the nation’s failures. Thus, it has now become a fight between the “state” and its “people.” Imran Khan has publicly called Nawaz Sharif a traitor, and Khan’s government has banned media from airing Sharif’s speeches due to “seditious” content  (Dawn, 2020). 

Khan and PTI have also deflected attention by externalizing blame. He uses the “honest man” strategy, positioning himself as the one humble man the people can trust. He believes that he had an “unfair” start because the system is so corrupt and damaged that he cannot deliver his promises with 100 days. He admits his failures and has pled with the people to give him time; he promises he will deliver only if they have “faith in him”  (Khawar, 2020) . Simultaneously, he has also externalized blamed, pointing the finger at India for allegedly sponsoring terrorism in the country and lobbying against Pakistan in the global arena. These are highly sensitive nerve endings amongst the public, who feel touched by Khan’s humbleness while also feeling sorry for his plight. All the while, they believe his claims; a majority of Pakistanis view India as a malicious actor.

Imran Khan has used the state apparatus to launch witch hunts against political rivals and silence opposition. This is dangerous in a country where, historically, the separation of power between the judiciary, parliament, the state bureaucracy, and security forces are muddled.

Khan’s Populism and its Consequences  

Imran Khan is not the first to use populism to wield power in Pakistan. Religious leaders, political figures, and military generals have used faith and the promise of a better life to gain support or legitimize their actions. The uniqueness of Khan’s populism lies in the fact that he has been able to condense a host of diverse ideologies into a coherent populist narrative that has endeared him to “ the people .” 

An example of this is the Single National Curriculum Plan (SNCP), which aims to bring equity to the education system by having a single curriculum for public and private schools. In a country where quality education is a privilege few enjoy, SNCP is a symbol of equity and the promise of justice in  naya  Pakistan. At the same time, its highly Islamized aspects – including teaching Quranic verses and the life and sayings of the Prophet (from a Sunni interpretation) – appease the religious sentiments of the populace. SNCP also represents a move away from “Westernized” education to a more indigenous model. PTI advertises SNCP as true to the values and norms of Pakistani culture (in reality, Sunni Islamic culture). Thus, in one policy proposal, Khan combines anti-Western and anti-elitism with Islamism and reform.

In three years, Khan has used the state apparatus to launch witch hunts against political rivals and silence opposition. This is dangerous in a country where, historically, the separation of power between the judiciary, parliament, the state bureaucracy, and security forces are muddled. Khan has again merged various ideologies such as anti-corruption, anti-elitism, conspiracies, and a quest to make Pakistan a “just Islamic state” modelled on Medina to justify his vindictive, autocratic behaviour. 

These choices have set up a choice between the “people” – that is, those pure ones on the right (religious) side – and those who oppose the people . This latter group includes traitors and Indian spies, members of the elite , or those brainwashed by Western sex, drugs, and rock and roll. The “otherization” of critics and those who do not identify with Khan’s narrative leaves little room for pluralism.                   

Khan’s merged ideologies and populist rhetoric are primarily defined by Islamism as a way of viewing the world and an agent of change to answer all social issues. His supporters are overwhelmingly young (again, a majority of Pakistanis are under 30), which makes his support worrying. His tenure has promoted Quranic education, Muslim victimization, a wave of pan-Islamism, and fear of the “West” and non-Muslims. For these policies, and radicalizing the country’s youth, Khan has been named amongst “The Muslim 500”  (The News, 2020) . When a number of Shia and ethnically Hazara were massacred in 2021, Khan blamed India for “sponsoring terrorism,” even though his policies have done little to ensure that interfaith harmony is promoted in an already radicalized society. 

Captaincy of the country has led Khan to make many compromises or U-turns; his image as a political “outsider” or miracle worker are no longer valid; he has struggled to turn populist dreams into the reality of a naya Pakistan. To cover his shortcomings, like other populist leaders, he has misused power and deflected blame to imagined external threats. He also doubled down on his populism , “otherized” internal critics, and tried to construct their criticism as illegitimate. Moreover, by codifying populism into educational policy and spreading conspiracy theories, Khan’s tenure is likely to have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s social fabric.

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Farmer, Ben. (2019). “Imran Khan’s Pakistan forced to swallow IMF medicine in return for $6bn bailout.”  Telegraph . May 13, 2019.  www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/05/13/imran-khans-pakistan-forced-swallow-imf-medicine-return-6bn/  (accessed on December 28, 2020).

Farooq, Umar. (2020). “Jahangir Tareen returns to Pakistan from UK.”  Dawn . Nov. 6, 2020. Jahangir Tareen returns to Pakistan from UK (accessed on January 1, 2021). 

Gishkori, Zahid. (2020). “Billion Tree Tsunami Project faces over Rs410m loss.”  The Nation . Nov. 9, 2020.  https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/726501-billion-tree-tsunami-project-faces-over-rs410m-loss  (accessed on January 1, 2021).  

Innskeep, Steven. (2008). “Imran Khan Brings Anti-Musharraf Effort to US.”  NPR.  January 25, 2008.  https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18402782  (accessed on December 28, 2020).

Junaidi, Ikran. (2016). “PM launches health scheme for the poor.”  Dawn . Jan. 1, 2016.  https://www.dawn.com/news/1229970  (accessed on December 28, 2020).  

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Khan, Ismail. (2019). “Damning report of public money waste on Peshawar BRT.”  Dawn . https://www.dawn.com/news/1473563 (accessed on January 1, 2021). 

Khan, Sanaullah. (2020). “Tania Aidrus, Dr Zafar Mirza resign as special assistants to PM over ‘criticism’.”  Dawn.  July 30, 2020.  https://www.dawn.com/news/1571794  (accessed on January 1, 2021).

Khawar, Hassan. (2020). “Is the PM allowed to err?”  The Express Tribune . Dec. 29, 2020.  https://tribune.com.pk/story/2277770/is-the-pm-allowed-to-err  (accessed on December 30, 2020).      

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Mir, Hamid. (2018). “The Imran Khan I know.”  The News . Aug. 7, 2018.  https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/351820-the-imran-khan-i-know  (accessed on December 28, 2020).

Mufti, Mariam. (2016). “Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf: New Phenomenon or Continuation of the Political Status Quo ?”  NORIA . Oct. 22, 2016.  https://www.noria-research.com/south-asia-5-pakistan-tehrik-e-insaaf/  (accessed on January 1, 2021).

Mullah, Ayesha, (2017). “Broadcasting the Dharna: Mediating “Contained” Populism in Contemporary Pakistan.”  International Journal of Communication , 11, 4181–4196. 1932–8036/20170005 (accessed on December 28, 2020).

Qayum, Khalid. (2020). “Undue delays plague Imran’s Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme in Punjab.”  The Express Tribune . April 28, 2020.  https://tribune.com.pk/story/2208498/undue-delays-plague-imrans-naya-pakistan-housing-scheme-punjab  (accessed on December 28, 2020).

Rajghatta, Chidanand. (2005). “Holy mess: US mag blames Imran.”  The Times of India . May 16, 2005.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Holy-mess-US-mag-blames-Imran/articleshow/1111381.cms  (accessed on December 27, 2020). 

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Yousaf, Salman. (2015). “Political marketing in Pakistan: exaggerated promises, delusive claims, marketable development projects and change advocacy: An evidence from May 2013 general elections.”  Journal of Public Affairs.  16(2). DOI: 10.1002/pa.1562 (accessed on January 1, 2021).  

[1]  Tabdeli is an Urdu work that is used to describe reform and change. This word has become synonymous with Imran Khan.    

[2]  The Indus River is the largest river system in Pakistan. Historically, cities and settlements, from north to south, have developed along the river. Thus, it holds immense cultural significance.   

[3]  Pakistan Movement for Justice  

[4]  In Pakistan possessing and drinking alcohol is a punishable offense.   

[5]  In Pakistan sex outside marriage is a punishable offence. The Hudood Ordinances, at the time, consisted of Zina (extramarital) Ordinance, which before 2006, could hand jail sentences of up to 10 years along with stoning to death for the adulterer and a public whipping of 100 lashes for a fornicator. 

[6]  In Pakistan ‘missing persons’ are people who have gone missing by being abducted or killed by state intuitions. These occurrences have also been called the ‘enforced disappearances.’   

[7]  Captain 

[8]  Talking about the central PPP Government and PML-N Punjab government

[9]  Funfairs where locals celebrate with family and friends. They were once a common occurrence in Pakistan, but the wave of suicide bombings severely limited or hampered these once frequent occurrences where dance and music were common.   

[10]  It is noteworthy that Pakistan has one of the youngest populations around the world. People under the age of 30 make up over 64% of the total population.  

[11]  New Pakistan 

[12]  Jangla-Sharif refers to the Metro Bus project in Lahore. PML-N had heavily invested in infrastructure projects during their two terms in Punjab.   

[13]  After the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif Khan gathered his supports in a ‘Thanksgiving’ rally as they were ridded off ‘kind of corrupt.’    

[14]  Ahmadis are a subsect of Muslims who have been declared non-Muslims in Pakistan; they are a highly persecuted group who face discrimination and even loss of life due to their religious affiliation. Extremist right-wing groups consider them  wajib-ul-qatal  (eligible to kill).   

• Term: Populist Narrative
• Term: The Heartland
• Term: Social Media
• Term: Populism
• Term: The People
• Term: Status Quo
• Term: Media
• Term: Outsiders
• Term: The Elite

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Our Leader Imran Khan

What was the best thing about working with former Prime Minister Imran Khan

They were with him long before he came into power. Some longer than others. They worked with him when his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, contested elections in 2013 and 2018. From August 2018 to April 2022, they worked under his leadership as part of his government, doing their best to make his ideal of a Naya Pakistan a reality. Prime Minister, now former, Imran Khan and his cabinet members and parliamentarians.

They understand Khan’s ideology better than most people who claim to know him. Their political and professional closeness to Khan endows them with a profound understanding of Imran Khan the administrator, Imran Khan the leader. Having worked with him at close quarters, they have a unique knowledge of Khan’s passion and dedication to make Pakistan a country that is empathetic, peaceful, inclusive, fair, self-reliant, and prosperous.

I posed one question to a few of those who have served in the top positions in the cabinet and government of Prime Minister (now former) Khan: what was the best thing about working with Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan?

Some terse, some more expressive, what they said about their leader, their prime minister, is a microcosm of the viewpoints of all those who worked with Imran Khan during his prime ministerial tenure—August 2018 to April 2022.

Ali Haider Zaidi

Former federal minister for maritime affairs.

There is more than one thing. The first thing was he never interfered after he had assigned me a task. Before I took over the Ministry for Maritime Affairs, he said to me that it was known to be one of the most corrupt ministries and that I had to fix it, organize it, and deliver results. And he let me do whatever I thought was the right thing for a particular issue. I kept him posted, and alhamdulillah, the work done in the Maritime Ministry in the last four years is what had never been done before. It is now one of the most important and talked-about ministries.

Khan makes you feel motivated; there is this energy that you get when you meet him and when you work with him. The man never gets tired. He makes you want to work, we used to go to work with a lot of heart. That was Imran Khan, one of the greatest leaders of this century. InshaAllah, Khan will be back, stronger, more experienced, and with a new zeal and passion.

Ali Mohammad Khan

Former minister of state for parliamentary affairs.

The one great feeling working with Prime Minister Imran Khan was that everything we were doing, we were doing it for Pakistan. Khan never shied away from taking bold decisions; he had out of the box solutions for complicated issues, and he had the moral calibre to break the status quo. Middle class people like me were empowered in the sense that we became partners in the process of decision making of the state.

Aon Abbas Buppi

Senator, former special assistant to prime minister on e-commerce, former managing director pakistan bait-ul-mal.

I can write an essay on Prime Minister Imran Khan, but what I like the most about my leader is that he is a daring person who believes nothing is impossible; he challenges everything. He is like a teacher who trains us like his children—what to say, how to do it, how to build our legacy. Khan is accessible to all of us, listens to all of us, does not judge people, and takes everything as it is. He is clean within, so he thinks everyone is like him.

Former Federal Minister for Finance, Former Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives

The best thing about working with Prime Minister Imran Khan was that there was focus on only one objective the entire time: how to make Pakistan better and improve the lives of the citizens of Pakistan.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain

Former federal minister for information and broadcasting, former federal minister for law and justice.

Imran Khan is fearless. In my opinion, his biggest quality is that he doesn’t shy away from taking courageous decisions. Moreover, he is very upright, honest, a dervish. Working with him was really an honour, I would say.

Dr Faisal Sultan

Former federal minister of state for national health services, regulation and coordination, former special assistant to prime minister on health.

It was a privilege and an honour to work with Prime Minister Imran Khan. The best thing was to have his confidence and support and his focus on pro-public, pro-reform initiatives without any [external] pressure or influence. His passion and honest desire to improve things was infectious.

Hammad Azhar

Former federal minister for finance and revenue, former federal minister for energy.

The best thing about working with Imran Khan is his mentoring. He changes how you think, set goals and approach challenges. He believes and demonstrates that any goal is achievable provided one continuously learns, adapts, and never gives up. And he’s fearless!

Maleeka Ali Bokhari

Former member of national assembly, former parliamentary secretary law and justice.

The best thing about working with Prime Minister Imran Khan was his compassion, his empathy for everyone. All the programmes that he led as the prime minister of Pakistan were centred on protecting the rights of the most vulnerable. The Ehsaas programme was a testament to that belief, that ideology, that characteristic of compassion. Panagahs [shelters] that he opened, and the way he would eat [in a panagah] as an equal with the poorest people of the country was a moment of pride for me as his parliamentarian.

Imran Khan spearheaded some of the finest legislations of Pakistan for the females of Pakistan. He always talked about about women without inheritance rights, and every time he spoke to me about that issue, it was with a great deal of pain. I could see it in his eyes. The Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act 2020, which gives the office of Ombudsman across the country the power to intervene in possession and property rights, is Imran Khan’s landmark achievement, and something I am very proud of.

The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021 is another special law that has no parallel in South Asia. It is against all forms of discrimination that take place against women in courts; now we have a law in place that provides the hope for some form of real justice for victims of sexual violence. The Legal Aid & Justice Authority Act 2020 is also a huge achievement.

Everything that we did in Prime Minister Khan’s government, under his leadership, was centred on compassion. It was centred on protection of fundamental rights. I have worked with him for ten years, before and after he became the prime minister of Pakistan. The way Khan displays empathy and compassion, I have not seen that in any other leader across the globe. For me that was his hallmark, for me it was something to be take pride in. I will always remember it as my greatest achievement—being his MNA, his Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice.

Malik Amin Aslam

Former federal minister for climate change, former special advisor to prime minister.

In my case, the best thing was the passion for nature that I shared with Prime Minister Imran Khan, and his unflinching support to stand up for what was right. He was always accessible and backed me up while exploring new visions and innovative frontiers, such as blue carbon or the living rivers initiative or nature bonds, which he had a rare ability to quickly grasp. Khan as prime minister was also solidly supportive of pushing the boundaries when it came to expanding protected areas, standing up to timber and land mafias, and protecting forest community rights against the powerful cabals in our country.

Most importantly, Prime Minister Khan inspired me to always dream big, like the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, and then single-mindedly pursue the dream with meticulous planning and commitment. He would never shy away from big dreams or be fearful of the challenges.

It has been a rare privilege to have served under a leader who had absolutely no personal angle in governance decisions except backing what needed to be done.

Dr Sania Nishtar

Senator, former federal minister of state, former special assistant to prime minister on poverty alleviation, founder of ehsaas, pakistan.

There were a number of hard decisions that I had to take during our tenure, and Prime Minister Imran Khan always supported me on those decisions. He always sided with what was right.

Zartaj Gul Wazir

Former minister of state for climate change.

As an ex-cabinet minister of Imran Khan’s government and as a young woman in Insaf Student Federation [the official student wing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf], where I started my politics, I think the best thing about working with Imran Khan is that he is very brave. He is very competent and can foresee the future of Pakistan. Once he makes up his mind that something is for the good of Pakistan—be it the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami or the Ehsaas programme or empowerment of women or an independent foreign policy—he is fully committed. Khan has a future-focused approach; he doesn’t just think about today, he thinks about the next fifty or hundred years of Pakistan.

One very important thing about working with Khan was what we couldn’t imagine when we started working with him: that someday we, young political workers, would be members of a federal cabinet. The most important role of a great leader is that he creates leaders, and Prime Minister Khan created young leaders. I think it is very impressive that you create an environment for people to advance on merit. Only a man who has the conviction of his faith can take bold and honest decisions, it is not something an ordinary person can do. Khan has nerves of steel.

Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari

Former special assistant to prime minister for overseas pakistanis and human resource development.

The best thing about working with Imran Khan was that he was absolutely clear in his vision. If you brought to him an out of the box idea but it was in the benefit of the country, you knew he would go ahead with it. Secondly, having observed some of the world’s best governance practices, he was quite well-versed in those matters, and was familiar with the areas in which other nations had done well. Thirdly, one of the best things about working with Imran Khan was that after having a meeting with him, you always felt inspired. Whether it was a one-on-one session, a multi-person meeting, or a gathering of ten thousand people, he was always inspirational. Khan always inspires.

Imran Khan thought of nothing except Pakistan. I have never seen someone who bleeds green the way he does.

Mehr Tarar is a writer and columnist, and a former op-ed editor and TV presenter.

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