Imran Khan wins parliament seat: opponent

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) or Movement for Justice party Imran Khan (C) is surrounded by his supporters during a campaign rally in Karachi on May 7, 2013. — Photo by AFP

PESHAWAR: Pakistani cricket star turned politician Imran Khan was Saturday elected into parliament in the northwestern city of Peshawar, where his main opponent conceded defeat.

“People have expressed confidence in Imran Khan and have rejected us,” former cabinet minister and senior Awami National Party (ANP) member Ghulam Bilour told private TV channel.

The seat in Peshawar was one of four that Khan contested.

“I congratulate him,” Bilour told the TV channel. The secular ANP led the outgoing government in northwestern province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“People wanted change and I think what has happened was correct. Now it is up to us to think why people have rejected us,” Bilour said.

Khan's centre-right Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) party is looking to make a breakthrough into national politics at Saturday's polls. It boycotted the last elections in 2008 and won only one seat, for Khan, in 2002.

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haslam

May 11, 2013 07:27pm

Ya Allah please help us to win more seats because not now than never :( Imran Khan good luck

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El Cid

May 12, 2013 03:01am

He responded with dignity and self respect, with responsibilty and maturity...as a gentleman does.

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Aamir Khan

May 12, 2013 02:41am

I heard people in Lahore were not given a chance to vote and also heard elections were riggered in all over Punjab. Think for a minute, IK had almost same popularity in KPK like in Punjab but why the results in KPK are different than in Punjab. Hope you understand. . People of Punjab, you need to stand up for this big rigging if you have some sonce.

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Punjab Singh

May 12, 2013 03:01am

Congratulations to Imran Khan for challenging all the big wigs and despite having accident he is still in good spirits!! I wish his party could have come in power as he is an honest person who wants progress of common man, wants peace and prosperity for his nation!!

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Ahmed

May 12, 2013 01:11am

Thanks to the people of KP - They have shown their maturity. I am sad that, we, the people of Punjab have proven that we are fools. Good luck to Nawaz.

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El Cid

May 12, 2013 03:10am

The women of the Punjab voted for the Great Khan. Younger men too. Educated class also. CJ's order for votes to Pakistanis abroad perhaps was rejected by the CIA. They were 90% for the Great Khan. The Great Khan is much liked and loved as an honest strong leader by the ladies, the educated, and by those abroad. The result at the national level is not understandble at this time...rigging?

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Concerned citizen

May 12, 2013 02:34am

Ali it is so true, our country run by the America since we have no back bone to stand up and Imran Khan was not going to bow down in front of anybody and that is why this entire elections were rigged from the beginning. Otherwise, why would Nawaz and his party come out declare victory....Nawaz and his party are too dumb to even follow simple CIA plan.

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Rashid

May 11, 2013 07:12pm

That is the difference b/w a liberal and conservative, they have showed the decency and accepted the reality. I have nothing but respect for ANP leaders. Alas Pakistan has no place for decent people and we chose conservatives again.

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Sajid Rafique

May 11, 2013 07:13pm

Yes. Accepting defeat is not easy

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Waqas Shaikh

May 11, 2013 07:22pm

Imran Khan has made significant gains in this election. Though, he may not win the majority, but a new political landscape will emerge. It will deny feudal lords and industrialists the right to hatch back door conspiricies against the people of Pakistan and weaken the hold of army in poiltics. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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kduran

May 11, 2013 09:19pm

My family always supported ANP but we were divided this time between ANP and PTI. Now that IK is elected from Peshawar, I hope he remember that it was Peshawar which elected him first and that he work to bring peace to this region.

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Sunny

May 12, 2013 07:01am

Good on ya Imran Khan :)

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ayesha200bc

May 11, 2013 05:50pm

The one who laughjs the last ---laughs the best --Confratulations to the whole nation!!!!!!!!!!!!

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just_someone

May 11, 2013 06:56pm

yep, very rare in Pakistan. they always just allege rigging!

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Syed Rana

May 11, 2013 08:46pm

Congratulations! We are so happy to see Imran Khan win. I hope and pray for his success and health.

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Luqman

May 11, 2013 06:36pm

Please God help Imran Khan win the elections.. We need him

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Ali

May 11, 2013 11:23pm

The end result was decided before a month or so in a meeting at Brussels, Belgium between CIA, Pakistan Army Chief and US secretary of State John Kerry. Nawaz Sharif was the man of choice and so he is. Imran Khan is too anti American and CIA can not work with him.

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Pirbhat Shams

May 11, 2013 06:18pm

Mr. Bilour has guts to accept this. Cool!

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Vikki, Pul Bangash, Purani Dilli

May 11, 2013 11:59pm

Imran Sir, we across the Border need you for Naya Pakistan, we want to strengthen our ties with Pakistanis. God Bless You, Sir. Get well soon and lead your Nation.

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independentthinker

May 11, 2013 06:13pm

i have never been more happier - let the good news keep coming. Pakistan needs this change and I can already see the light - it has been a long road, but we are reaching the destination. Long live Pakistan - long live Imran Khan.

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waqaralam

May 11, 2013 06:07pm

Congratulations! Imran Khan won more and more seats.

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waqaralam

May 11, 2013 06:06pm

Congratulation! Imran Khan, hope you will win more and more seats.

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Anwar Ali

May 12, 2013 11:09am

Elections have been rigged 100%. Election results does't match Imran Khan's popularity. Pakistan is far beyond democracy. I don't see democracy in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif is not enough capable to run the Govt. I am 100% sure if Nawaz Sharif go for job, no one hire as Clerk on merit. It will be another dark five year for Pakistan. US wants safe return from Afghanistan and need high class dump and poppet so they got.

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Forbidden......

May 12, 2013 08:50pm

Y u guys forgetting pakistan nt only lives in cities...... but most of the pakistanies lives in villages..... nd thy dnt influence by internet warriors..... thy influence wat their elected leader wrked for thm on the ground...... imran khan just popular i n small amount of people as a politician.......

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