Challenges in the Life of Imran Khan in a Detailed Timeline
Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Imran Khan. A timeline of obstacles and growth.
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi is a prominent Pakistani figure known for his careers in both sports and politics. He captained the Pakistani cricket team to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup before transitioning to politics. In 1996, he founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party and served as the 19th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022. He is also recognized for his philanthropic work.
1983: Imran Khan suffers stress fracture
In 1983, during the Test series against India, Imran Khan suffered a stress fracture in his shin, which kept him out of cricket for over two years.
1995: Benazir Bhutto's Hostility Towards Imran Khan
In 1995, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto reacted with hostility towards Imran Khan, fearing a potential military coup that could appoint him as Prime Minister. The state-run television refused to broadcast archival footage of Imran's cricketing career and banned fundraising advertisements for his Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital during Ramadan. Authorities also spread rumors of embezzlement of hospital funds and tax irregularities. Donations to the hospital were halved in 1995.
1997: Unsuccessful Candidacy in Pakistani General Election
In 1997, Imran Khan ran for the seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of PTI from two constituencies but was unsuccessful and lost both seats.
2005: Declan Walsh Describes Khan as "Miserable Politician"
In 2005, Declan Walsh of The Guardian characterized Imran Khan as a "miserable politician," pointing out his inconsistent political stances since 1996.
2006: Najam Sethi Comments on Khan's Backtracking
In 2006, political commentator Najam Sethi noted that Imran Khan's story involves backtracking on previous statements, which affected his public image.
June 2007: Opposition in and out of Parliament
In June 2007, Khan faced political opponents in and outside the parliament.
October 2007: Resignation from Parliament
In October 2007, Khan resigned from Parliament as part of the All Parties Democratic Movement in protest of the presidential election.
November 2007: House Arrest and Subsequent Arrest at Student Protest
In November 2007, Khan was put under house arrest after president Musharraf declared a state of emergency. He escaped, went into hiding, and was later arrested at a student protest and sent to Dera Ghazi Khan jail.
2011: Growing Rivalry with Nawaz Sharif
Between 2011 and 2013, Khan and Nawaz Sharif began to engage each other in a bitter feud. The rivalry between the two leaders grew in late 2011 when Khan addressed his largest crowd at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore.
March 2012: Salman Rushdie Criticizes Khan for Refusing to Attend Conference
On 18 March 2012, Salman Rushdie criticized Imran Khan for declining to attend the India Today Conference due to Rushdie's presence. Khan cited the "immeasurable hurt" Rushdie's writings caused Muslims, leading Rushdie to suggest Khan was a "dictator in waiting."
August 2012: Taliban Death Threats and Subsequent Protection
In August 2012, the Pakistani Taliban issued death threats against Imran Khan for planning a march to protest U.S. drone strikes, but later withdrew the threats and offered him protection due to his opposition to the drone attacks.
2012: Fatima Bhutto criticizes Khan for Cozy Relationship with Dictatorship
In 2012, Fatima Bhutto criticized Imran Khan for his "incredible coziness not with the military but with dictatorship" and some of his political decisions.
2012: Pankaj Mishra Characterizes Khan's Conflicting Identities
In 2012, Pankaj Mishra of The New York Times described Imran Khan as embodying Pakistan's clashing identities. He noted that Khan's identification with the suffering masses, and attacks on affluent peers, were mocked as hypocritical by some.
April 2013: Escalating Rivalry Between Khan and Sharif
From April 2013, in the run-up to the elections, both the PML-N and the PTI started to criticise each other. On 29 April, The Observer termed Khan and his PTI, as the main opposition to the PML-N.
May 2013: Parliamentary Leader and Criticism for Support
Following the 2013 elections, Khan became the parliamentary leader of his party. In May 2013, Khan was criticised for his support for Sami-ul-Haq and for providing funds to his seminary.
July 2013: Contempt of Court Notice
In July 2013, Khan received a contempt of court notice for allegedly criticising the superior judiciary. The notice was discharged after Khan clarified his criticism was directed at the lower judiciary.
November 2013: Positions on Taliban Dialogue and US Drone Strikes
In November 2013, Khan believed terrorist activities by the Pakistani Taliban could be stopped through dialogue and even offered them to open an office in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He accused the United States of sabotaging peace efforts with the Pakistani Taliban by killing its leader Hakimullah Mehsud in a drone strike. On 13 November 2013, Khan ordered Pervez Khattak to dismiss Bakht Baidar and Ibrar Hussan Kamoli of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) over corruption allegations and to end the PTI's alliance with the party.
2013: Mohammed Hanif Comments on Khan's Support Base
After the 2013 Pakistani general election, Mohammed Hanif wrote in The Guardian that Imran Khan's support appeals mainly to the educated middle class, which is not large enough in Pakistan to form a majority.
2013: Judicial Commission Findings on 2013 Elections
In 2013, Khan entered into an agreement with the Sharif administration in March 2015 to establish a three-member high-powered judicial commission, which would be formed under a presidential ordinance.
2013: 2013 General Election and Allegations of Vote-Rigging
In 2013, the Pakistani general election was held on 11 May. Nawaz Sharif and his party secured victory, but there were allegations of vote-rigging. Khan's party emerged as the leading party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the second-largest party nationwide. Khan conceded defeat but vowed to release a "white paper" on the alleged vote-rigging and pledged to hold protests. He praised the record voter turnout.
February 2014: Motion to remove Imran Khan as chancellor of University of Bradford
In February 2014, the University of Bradford Union floated a motion to remove Imran Khan from the post of chancellor, citing his absence from graduation ceremonies since 2010.
August 2014: Rally to Islamabad and Demands for Prime Minister's Resignation
In August 2014, Khan led a rally of supporters from Lahore to Islamabad, demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation and investigation into alleged electoral fraud. The convoy was attacked, and protesters later entered the Red Zone, leading to violence and casualties.
September 2014: Alliance with Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
By September 2014, Khan had entered into a de facto alliance with Canadian-Pakistani cleric Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, aiming for a regime change campaign against Nawaz Sharif.
September 2014: Ayesha Siddiqa on Khan's Political Tone
In September 2014, Ayesha Siddiqa commented on Imran Khan's change in political tone, cautioning him to consider how he would handle the consequences if he became prime minister.
July 2015: Judicial Commission Findings on 2013 Elections
In July 2015, the judicial commission's findings concluded that the 2013 general elections were largely fair and in accordance with the law. Khan accepted the findings but expressed reservations.
2016: Campaign Against Nawaz Sharif Following Panama Papers Leaks
In 2016, Khan campaigned against Nawaz Sharif following the Panama Papers leaks, leading protests and calling for Sharif's resignation due to allegations of corruption. His party petitioned the Supreme Court to investigate the allegations.
2017: Ayesha Gulalai Alleges Sexual Harassment
In 2017, Ayesha Gulalai, a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accused party chairman Imran Khan of sending inappropriate text messages, leading her to resign from the party.
June 2018: Pakistan Placed on FATF Grey List
In June 2018, Pakistan was placed on the FATF grey list due to deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.
November 2018: Khan responds to Trump's accusations
In November 2018, after President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of failing to aid the U.S. in the War on Terror, Imran Khan responded by highlighting Pakistan's losses and contributions, asserting that the country was "not your hired gun anymore."
2018: Khan contests and wins multiple constituencies in Pakistani general election
In 2018, Imran Khan contested the Pakistani general election from multiple constituencies and won in all five, surpassing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's record. His party, PTI, secured a plurality in the National Assembly, although the opposition alleged vote rigging.
2018: Khan's government faces economic challenges upon taking office
In 2018, Imran Khan's government faced significant economic challenges, inheriting a debt crisis. They implemented austerity measures and sought a bailout from the IMF, leading to criticism for contradicting promises of a welfare state.
2018: Pakistan's Corruption Perception Index Ranking
In 2018, Pakistan ranked 117th on the Corruption Perceptions Index.
2018: Pakistan Placed on FATF Grey List
In 2018, Pakistan was on the FATF grey list due to deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.
2018: Allegations of rigging in the 2018 general election
In 2018, opposition parties alleged "massive rigging" in Imran Khan's favor during the general elections, with claims of military interference. Despite reservations, Nawaz Sharif and his party conceded victory to Khan.
June 2019: Alleged corruption investigation and removal of Lt. General Asim Munir
In June 2019, Lt. General Asim Munir allegedly intended to investigate corruption allegations involving Khan's wife. Shortly afterward, Munir was removed as Director-General of ISI.
August 2019: Khan refuses engagement with India after Kashmir revocation
In August 2019, following the Revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Imran Khan refused to engage with India and twice denied Narendra Modi the use of Pakistani airspace.
2019: Locust Infestation Response
In 2019, Khan's government responded to a severe locust infestation, declaring a national emergency.
March 2020: Criticism of Khan's handling of the pandemic
In March 2020, Ayesha Siddiqa criticized Imran Khan's confused and indecisive handling of the pandemic, noting the increasing role of the military in governance and Khan's reluctance to implement a full lockdown due to economic concerns.
June 2020: Khan's Reference to Osama Bin Laden Sparks Criticism
During a June 2020 address to the National Assembly, Imran Khan's use of the term "martyred" for Osama bin Laden sparked criticism and accusations of sympathizing with extremism.
June 2020: Decrease in COVID-19 cases and emphasis on "smart lockdowns"
In June 2020, COVID-19 cases decreased in Pakistan, and the government emphasized the success of "smart lockdowns." However, health experts warned of a potential surge, and economic recovery faced challenges such as food insecurity and inflation.
June 2020: Criticism of Pakistan's COVID-19 response
In June 2020, Pakistan's COVID-19 response was criticized for the lack of a full lockdown, leading to overwhelmed hospitals. The government opted for a "smart lockdown" strategy, prioritizing economic recovery amidst a recession.
December 2020: Economic recovery in manufacturing and construction identified by ADB
By December 2020, the Asian Development Bank identified economic recovery in manufacturing and construction in Pakistan, but food insecurity, inflation, and poor internet infrastructure continued to be significant challenges.
2020: Current account surplus for the first time in years
By the end of 2020, Pakistan's current account had shifted to surplus for the first time in years. Exports in the IT sector rose, but economic difficulties persisted.
2020: Sugar scandal and rift with Jahangir Tareen
In 2020, Imran Khan's relationship with Jahangir Tareen soured amid the sugar scandal, leading to an investigation into Tareen's company and his subsequent self-imposed exile.
2020: Introduction of Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill
In 2020, Khan's government introduced the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2020 in Parliament.
2020: Record-high remittance inflow
In FY2019-2020, the government saw a record-high remittance inflow of $23.1 billion. However, exports contracted and debt continued to rise.
2020: Toshakhana case hearing
In the Toshakhana case hearing for the tax year 2020-21, Khan allegedly made false statements and inaccurate declarations of assets.
June 2021: FATF Urged Action on Final Item
By June 2021, 26 out of 27 points were addressed, and FATF urged swift action to complete the final item.
September 2021: Khan's UN Address Sparks Outrage Among Pashtuns
In September 2021, during his UN General Assembly address, Imran Khan's comments linking Pashtun nationalism with the Afghan Taliban prompted outrage and calls for an apology.
December 2021: Khan's Remarks on Girls' Education in Afghanistan Draw Criticism
In December 2021, during an OIC session, Imran Khan's statement that not allowing girls to study was part of Afghan culture led to criticism from figures like Hamid Karzai and Malala Yousafzai.
2021: Khan's Comments on Women's Clothing Lead to Criticism
In 2021, Imran Khan faced criticism after suggesting women's clothing could incite sexual assault, stating "If a woman is wearing very few clothes it will have an impact on the man unless they are robots. It's common sense."
2021: Pakistan on FATF Grey List
In 2021, Pakistan was still on FATF grey list while addressing the requirements.
2021: Deterioration of Pakistan's Corruption Perception Index Ranking
In 2021, Pakistan's ranking on the Corruption Perceptions Index worsened to 140th, despite anti-corruption efforts.
February 2022: Khan visits Moscow amidst Ukraine invasion
In February 2022, Imran Khan became the first Pakistani prime minister in two decades to visit Moscow, seeking to strengthen economic ties. His visit coincided with the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, drawing international criticism.
March 2022: Leaked Diplomatic Cipher
In early March 2022, a leaked Pakistani diplomatic cipher revealed US concerns over Khan's stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
March 2022: No-Confidence Motion Submitted Against Khan
On 8 March 2022, opposition parties submitted a no-confidence motion against Khan, citing his government's mismanagement of the economy and rising inflation.
April 2022: Imran Khan Removed from Office
In April 2022, Imran Khan was removed from office as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
April 2022: Removal from Prime Minister Office
In April 2022, Imran Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence motion.
August 2022: Toshakhana Case Filed
In August 2022, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) filed the Toshakhana case against Imran Khan.
November 2022: Assassination Attempt on Khan
On 3 November 2022, Khan was shot in the leg in an assassination attempt in Wazirabad while leading a march to Islamabad.
2022: Khan's Comments About Maryam Nawaz Spark Misogyny Accusations
In 2022, Imran Khan's remarks about Maryam Nawaz's repeated mentions of his name in her speeches were perceived as inappropriate and misogynistic, drawing widespread criticism.
2022: Involvement in Court Cases
Since the 2022 no-confidence vote, Imran Khan has been involved in over 180 court cases.
March 2023: Arrest Warrant Issued
On 14 March 2023, an operation was started to arrest Khan as a result of an arrest warrant issued by the district and sessions court in Islamabad.
March 2023: Alleged Trap at Federal Judicial Complex
On 18 March 2023, Khan alleged that a trap was set for him at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) during a Toshakhana case hearing.
May 2023: Arrest at Islamabad High Court
In May 2023, Imran Khan was arrested at the Islamabad High Court on corruption charges, leading to widespread protests.
August 2023: Sentenced to Prison
In August 2023, Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in prison for misusing his premiership regarding state gifts.
August 2023: Arrest and Sentencing in Toshakhana Case
In August 2023, Khan was arrested and sentenced to three years in prison for misusing his premiership.
2023: Arrest on Charges related to 2023 Riots
In 2023 Imran Khan was arrested on charges related to riots.
2023: Sentenced on Corruption Charges
In 2023, Imran Khan was sentenced on corruption charges, leading to concerns from Amnesty International regarding his imprisonment conditions.
2023: Report on corruption allegations
In 2023, The Daily Telegraph reported on corruption allegations that Lt. General Asim Munir intended to investigate.
January 2024: Conviction and Sentencing in Cipher Case
On 30 January 2024, Imran Khan was convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in the cipher case, leading him to urge voters to seek revenge through the 2024 elections. His legal team planned to appeal the decision, alleging it was illegal and politically motivated. Shah Mahmood Qureshi also received a 10-year sentence, and Khan's sister reported that prosecutors sought the death penalty.
March 2024: Prison Visit Ban
On 12 March 2024, the Government of Punjab imposed a two-week ban on visits to Imran Khan in Adiala Jail.
May 2024: Claims of Solitary Confinement
On 30 May 2024, Imran Khan told the Supreme Court that he was living in solitary confinement, and the government had put restrictions on his meetings with lawyers and family members.
June 2024: UN calls for release
In June 2024, a United Nations Working Group called for Imran Khan's release, deeming his detention arbitrary and politically motivated.
June 2024: Imran Khan Writes Book in Prison
In June 2024, it was reported that Imran Khan has been writing a book while imprisoned, completing over 300 pages.
June 2024: Conviction Overturned, Arrest on Riot Charges
On 3 June 2024, the Islamabad High Court overturned Imran Khan's conviction in the cypher case, but he remained in prison due to a conviction for breach of marriage laws. He was then arrested on charges related to the 2023 riots.
September 2024: Charged on Matters Related to Riots
In September 2024, Imran Khan was charged on matters related to clashes between his supporters and police.
October 2024: Disqualification from Oxford Chancellorship Race
On 16 October 2024, Imran Khan was excluded from the race for University of Oxford Chancellor due to his prior conviction and active political role.
October 2024: Attempted Murder Charge Filed
On 8 October 2024, an attempted murder charge was filed against Imran Khan following the death of a police officer during protests by his supporters in Islamabad.
November 2024: Bail Granted but Continued Imprisonment
On 22 November 2024, the Islamabad High Court granted Imran Khan bail in the Toshakhana case, but he remained in jail due to other pending cases. Supporters marched nationwide on 24 November 2024, demanding his release.
December 2024: Cases Filed Against Imran Khan
As of 6 December 2024, authorities reported to court that 186 cases had been filed against Imran Khan across Pakistan.
January 2025: Receiving a 14-year Sentence
In January 2025, Imran Khan received a 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
January 2025: Sentenced in Al-Qadir Trust Case
On 17 January 2025, Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Al-Qadir Trust case, with his wife also receiving a jail term. The case involves allegations of securing land in exchange for a deal that cost the national exchequer billions.
February 2025: Sister's Statement on Health
In February 2025, after visiting Imran Khan in prison, his sister Aleema Khan denied reports of his illness and reported that Bushra Bibi was being held in solitary confinement.
