Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Imran Khan, playboy Pakistan cricket hero turned reformist politician

Imran Khan was catapulted to global fame as a World Cup cricket champion, but the man known in the West as a celebrity playboy is now seeking to lead Pakistan as a populist, religiously devout, anti-corruption reformist.

Khan's shot at becoming prime minister in elections on July 25 -- believed to be his best chance since entering politics two decades ago -- is coloured by allegations the electoral playing field is being fixed for the erstwhile fast bowler by the powerful military.


Khan has denied the claims and decried the venality of Pakistan's political elite, promising to build an "Islamic welfare state" if his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party form the next government.

Recent polls show PTI's popularity climbing nationally, while arch-rival Nawaz Sharif's incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party limps into the contest.

The PML-N complains this is the result of military pressure, with party activists calling out "blatant" attempts to manipulate the polls.

Former prime minister Sharif was ousted last year and has been behind bars since returning to the country earlier this month to face a corruption conviction, removing Khan's most formidable foe from the contest.

In contrast Khan has cut a relaxed image on the campaign trail, looking increasingly confident of his chances.

In the West, the man who led Pakistan's 1992 World Cup champion cricket team is typically seen through the prism of his celebrity and memories of his high-profile romances, including  a nine-year marriage to British socialite Jemima Goldsmith.

Back home the thrice-married 65-year-old cuts a more conservative persona as a devout Muslim, often carrying prayer beads and nurturing beliefs in living saints.

Earlier this year, he married his spiritual advisor Bushra Maneka, with wedding photos showing the new bride clad in an ultra-conservative veil -- an astronomical departure from his days plastered in the British tabloids.

And just last month he roused the ire of women after saying feminism has "degraded the role of a mother".

Khan is also described as impulsive and brash, too tolerant of militancy and fostering close links to Islamists, amid speculation over his ties to Pakistan's military establishment.

But to his legions of fans, he is uncorrupted and generous, spending his years off the pitch building hospitals and a university.

"We want change because the current system is corrupt, and we are going to have to face many difficulties," said PTI supporter Jamil Ahmed.

- 'End the hatred' -

Khan entered Pakistan's chaotic politics in 1996 promising to fight graft.

For his first decade and a half as a politician he sputtered, with PTI never securing more than a few seats in the national assembly.

"Sports teaches you that life is not in a straight line," he told AFP earlier this year. "You take the knocks. You learn from your mistakes."

In 2012 PTI's popularity surged with hordes of young Pakistanis who grew up idolising Khan as a cricket icon reaching voting age.

Khan admits his party was ill-prepared to capitalise on the gains during the 2013 election. But that was then.

"For the first time, we'll be going into elections prepared," he has said previously of 2018.

Five years later PTI is running a nationwide campaign including areas far from its northwestern and urban strongholds.

To shore up its chances of winning, PTI has begun luring candidates away from Sharif's party, stirring controversy among long-time party loyalists who say Khan is relying on the same corrupt politicians he once denounced.

Some fear Khan's mercurial nature is unsuited to being prime minister.

He has raised eyebrows by increasingly catering to religious hardliners, particularly over the hugely inflammatory charge of blasphemy, spurring fears his leadership could embolden extremists.

"It's hard to judge anyone when they're in opposition because the real challenge is when you take over," said journalist Arifa Noor. "On the downside he's playing up the religion card."

Khan has also been attacked for his repeated calls to hold talks with militants and for his party's alliance with Sami ul Haq, the so-called Father of the Taliban whose madrassas once educated Taliban stalwarts Mullah Omar and Jalaluddin Haqqani.

And earlier this month, the al Qaeda-linked Harkat-ul-Mujahideen announced their support for Khan's party, with pictures of the US-designated terrorist group's leader posing with PTI hopefuls posted online.

Still, many, including Khan, believe this is the best political opportunity he will ever have.

"After the 25th of July, God willing we will reunite this divided nation," he said during a rally in Lahore days before the polls. "And end the hatred."

More For You

Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers are among the first to use TikTok’s new bulletin board tool

Getty Images

Jonas Brothers among first to test TikTok bulletin boards in new messaging feature

Quick highlights:

  • TikTok is testing a new one-way messaging feature called bulletin boards.
  • Jonas Brothers, People magazine, and Paris Saint-Germain among early testers.
  • The feature mimics Instagram’s broadcast channels but may expand further.
  • Only creators can post; followers can react with emojis but not comment.

TikTok is trialling a new feature called bulletin boards, allowing select creators and brands to send direct broadcast-style messages to their followers, similar to Instagram’s broadcast channels. The Jonas Brothers, football club Paris Saint-Germain, and People magazine are among the first to test the tool, which shows TikTok’s growing focus on creator-fan intimacy beyond its traditional feed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ryland Headley

Ryland Headley, a 92-year-old man convicted of a 1967 murder following a cold case breakthrough

Avon and Somerset Police

Could cold case killer Ryland Headley have more victims?

Key points

  • Ryland Headley, 92, was convicted in 2023 for the 1967 rape and murder of Louisa Dunne.
  • Modern DNA testing on preserved evidence led to the breakthrough.
  • Headley previously admitted to raping two elderly women and committing multiple burglaries.
  • Police are now working with the NCA and other forces to investigate further possible crimes.
  • Officers describe him as a “dangerous serial offender” whose full history may still be unknown.

Ryland Headley, a 92-year-old man convicted of a 1967 murder following a cold case breakthrough, is now the subject of wider police investigations. Detectives believe he may be responsible for further unsolved crimes, with similarities in method and victim profile suggesting a disturbing pattern. Headley was convicted of raping and murdering 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in Bristol after DNA evidence linked him to the scene more than five decades later. Avon and Somerset Police are now working with the National Crime Agency and other forces to pursue additional leads.

Cold case solved with modern forensics

The murder of Louisa Dunne in June 1967 shocked the Easton community in Bristol. Despite an extensive investigation, no suspect was identified at the time. It wasn’t until a cold case review in 2023 that investigators made a breakthrough.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Joseph

Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.

David Joseph named new CEO of the RSA

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.

Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Divides Critics, But Johansson Shines

Scarlett Johansson wins praise in Jurassic World Rebirth as reviews split over story and mutant dinosaurs

Instagram/jurassicworld

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ review roundup: Scarlett Johansson steals the show but critics call it “the worst Jurassic yet”

Quick highlights:

  • Jurassic World Rebirth, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, releases on 4 July.
  • Twitter reactions praise the cast and visuals but criticise the film’s story and lack of emotional depth.
  • Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 54% from 95 reviews; Metacritic rates it 53.
  • Some fans applaud the Spielberg-style thrills, others feel it strays too far with mutant dinosaurs.

Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest addition to the iconic dinosaur saga, has sparked intense debate online ahead of its 4 July release. With Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey leading the cast, early Twitter reviews show a split audience, some impressed by the action and spectacle, others disappointed by the story’s direction and use of genetically altered dinosaurs.

Keep ReadingShow less
Raducanu Shines in Dominant Start to Wimbledon 2025 Campaign

Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines

Getty Images

Raducanu begins Wimbledon campaign with confident win

Key points

  • Emma Raducanu defeated fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon first round.
  • Xu, 17, was making her Grand Slam debut and appeared overwhelmed early on.
  • Raducanu dropped just three points on serve in the first set.
  • Despite a series of breaks in the second set, Raducanu regained control to seal victory.
  • She described the all-British clash as “difficult” but was pleased with the result.

  • The biggest home assault on Wimbledon for 41 years got off to a great start on Monday when Emma Raducanu triumphed in an all-British clash.

    Keep ReadingShow less