Imran Khan's political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday claimed victory in the Pakistan general elections. Results released by the Election Commission of Pakistan showed that PTI has won 110 seats. The National Assembly has 272 seats in total and the halfway mark is 137 for a simple majority. Mr. Khan will still need to form a coalition to become the Prime Minister.
Here is a look at the key milestones in the cricketer-turned-politician's career.
First match
Pitch to politics: Imran Khan during a Test match against India in Karachi in February 1983. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
Mr. Khan made his first-class cricket debut at the age of sixteen in Lahore. Soon he became one of the finest all-rounder cricketers Pakistan has produced.
1992 World Cup
In this March 25, 1992 photo, Imran Khan and the Pakistan team celebrate their World Cup win in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo Credit: AP
Mr. Khan holds the record of being the only World Cup winning captain from Pakistan, a feat achieved 26 years ago. He took over as captain in 1982, and under his charge Pakistan became one of the best sides in the world alongside West Indies. In the 1992 World Cup final against England, Mr. Khan showed his skills with both the bat and the ball.
Retirement
After lifting the World Cup trophy, Mr. Khan announced his retirement from the 50-over format. After retirement he remained a high-profile figure, with his marriage with -- and subsequent separation from -- Jemima Goldsmith, and a move into Pakistan's politics.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Mr. Khan founded his political party,Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in 1996. He ran for a National Assembly seat in the 1997 general election from two constituencies — NA-53, Mianwali and NA-94, Lahore — but was unsuccessful. The party failed to win a single seat in the 1997 general elections. His parliamentary debut happened in 2002. His party boycotted the 2008 election.
In 2013, PTI received over 7.5 million votes and won 30 seats, making it second in the number of votes and third in the number of seats won.
‘Taliban’ Khan
Imran Khan during an anti-government rally in Rawalpindi on August 13, 2016. | Photo Credit: Reuters
After he contested and won his seat in the 2002 elections under General Pervez Musharraf’s rule, Mr. Khan began to build a reputation as “Taliban Khan”, leading protests against U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan and turning to a more religious rhetoric, which included advocating a Sharia-compliant state.
Family
Hat trick: Imran Khan, second from left, with his wife, Bushra Maneka, and family in Lahore on Sunday. PTI PTI
Mr. Khan’s two marriages ended in divorce. His first marriage was with Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of a British billionaire, in 1995, which lasted nine years. Mr. Khan has two sons with her. His second marriage with TV anchor Reham Khan in 2015 ended after 10 months. Mr. Khan recently married his spiritual guide Bushra Maneka.
Controversies
This August 1, 2015 photo was released after Imran Khan married Reham Khan. | Photo Credit: PTI
Mr. Khan has often come under the scanner for his “colourful private life.” His past image was revived in the public memory days ahead of the elections by his former wife Reham Khan, in a self-published book that portrays him as a man who led “a bizarre life” of “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll”.
Opposition leader Imran Khan speaks to supporters during a celebration rally after the Supreme Court disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad, Pakistan. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Mr. Khan also sparked a row recently when he called former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s supporters “donkeys.” The Pakistan EC has warned Mr. Khan against using “inappropriate language” for his political rivals.
(The author is an intern with The Hindu)