Friends and foes describe the cricket legend-turned-politicians as relentless,charming,swaggering and highly unpredictable.
Once derided as"Im the Dim",the former cricket star could soon rule a nuclear-armed nation plagued by violence.
Former cricket star Imran Khan declared victory in Pakistan's parliamentary election and vowed to run the country"as it has never before been run".
Pakistan's election commission has not yet released official,final results but Khan has maintained a commanding lead according to projections.
Full results of Wednesday's general election will be delayed as cricket hero-turned-politician leads in a partial count opponents say was rigged.
After an election campaign overshadowed by violence and allegations of fraud,Pakistanis voted on Wednesday for a new government.
Pakistan hospital official says 25 killed,40 wounded in explosion outside crowded polling station in city of Quetta.
Pakistan's economic powerhouse is in shambles,roads crumbling,slums expanding,deprived of basic government services. Its people go to the poll on Wednesday.
As the violence-marred election approaches,the Pakistani courts are allowing candidates to run even when they are on a terror watch list.
Officials blamed a suicide bomber for the killings of at least 132 people in one of the attacks and said the death toll could rise further.
A Pakistani court has sentenced ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in prison for corrupt practices.