LAHORE: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday has been named among the World’s 50 Most Influential Muslims’ list of 2019.
According to the list titled ‘World’s Most Influential Muslims’, PM Khan has been placed on the 29th spot in the prestigious list that is prepared annually by the Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.
Other Pakistanis who have made it to the list are Justice Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani on the 6th spot; Haji Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab, emir of Tablighi Jamaat on 14th spot and Maulana Tariq Jameel on the 40th spot.
However, the premier ranks on the 15th spot on the list made up specifically of Muslim rulers and politicians.
PM Khan has also gotten a short intro on a page marking his placement on the list.
A Long Journey: When the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the 2018 General Elections, it was the culmination of a 22-year journey for Imran Khan. He had founded the PTI in 1996 hoping to oust the ‘political mafias’ ruling Pakistan. He garnered national support over the next two decades and in 2013 had become the second largest in the country by popular vote, before eventually winning in 2018.
Challenges: A crackdown on corruption and bringing accountability to the forefront are his major pledges. He has already implemented cutbacks in extravagant government expenditure and is using his personal credibility to fundraise for a dam.
Pedigree: Imran Khan started fund-raising for a cancer hospital soon after his mother died from cancer. His appeal within Pakistan and to the diaspora Pakistani community raised enough funds to open the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in 1994, in Lahore. It is a hugely successful project with 75 per cent of patients receiving free treatment. He also spearheaded a successful project to build Nama University, which provides scholarship assistance to over 90 per cent of its students.
A Sporting Legend: Imran Khan played professional cricket for 22 years and is recognised as one of the game’s finest all-rounders. His ability to lead and unite an often disparate team, culminated in Pakistan winning the 1992 world cup. It is this ability and success that many hope can be replicated in the political field.
Personal Life: His three marriages have all attracted considerable media attention. The first to Jemima Goldsmith, the second to Reham Khan, and the third to his current wife Bushra Maneka.
