Imran Khan: The Transformation from Cricketer to Politician and the Disappearing Promises to Pakistan

Imran Khan, the former cricketer turned politician and prime minister of Pakistan, has been sentenced to three years in jail and barred from politics for five years on corruption charges. The ruling could potentially mark the end of his political career, but Khan has vowed to fight the verdict and called on his supporters to take to the streets. Despite the charges against him, Khan remains popular and has a history of defying odds.

Khan’s life has been filled with ups and downs, making his journey stranger and more colorful than most films. He reached the pinnacle of both sporting and political life, leading Pakistan to its only Cricket World Cup victory and later becoming the prime minister. However, his downfall was swift, as he was ousted from office by a no-confidence vote and later targeted in an assassination attempt.

The powerful military in Pakistan is widely believed to have played a role in both swinging the 2018 election in Khan’s favor and orchestrating his fall from power. Khan’s attempts to gain control over senior military appointments and his criticisms of the military’s influence in politics were met with resistance.

Khan’s political journey began in 1996 when he founded the political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), inspired by his time spent in England and his admiration for the welfare state and rule of law. Despite spending 16 years in the political wilderness and facing ridicule from the elite, Khan’s party made significant gains in the 2013 elections, establishing him as a power broker.

Khan’s self-confidence, stemming from his sporting success and striking good looks, has been a driving force throughout his career. He has often compared himself to the prophet Muhammad, drawing parallels between his early struggles and those faced by the prophet during his early years of proselytization.

Born in Lahore in 1952, Khan was the only son of a wealthy civil engineer. He was educated at prestigious schools in Pakistan and England before making his Test debut for the national cricket team in 1971. Khan achieved great success on the cricket field but also gained a reputation as a playboy, frequently appearing in gossip pages and being linked to glamorous women.

Khan’s personal life has also been eventful, with marriages to British heiress Jemima Goldsmith and journalist Reham Khan. He is currently married to Bushra Bibi, a reclusive devotee of a Sufi mystic. She is also a co-defendant in the corruption case against him.

During his tenure as prime minister, Khan’s conservative and misogynistic views drew criticism. He has made controversial statements about Osama bin Laden, blamed rape victims for their attire, and suggested that educating girls is not part of Afghan culture.

Despite these controversies, Khan has remained popular among his supporters, many of whom come from impoverished backgrounds. They see him as a champion of Islam and a representative of ordinary Pakistanis. The military’s recent ban on stories about Khan is seen as a tacit acknowledgment of his popularity.

As Khan faces jail time and a ban from politics, he is calling for his supporters to fight for Pakistan’s future. He believes that his struggle is not just for himself but for the country and the future of its children. Despite the challenges ahead, Khan remains determined to continue his political career and rally his supporters in the fight for justice.

Original Story at www.theguardian.com – 2023-08-05 17:54:00