Imran Khan's Achievements: The Good Work They Don't Want You to Remember

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When Imran Khan became Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2018, he inherited a nation facing immense challenges: crushing debt, widespread poverty, inadequate healthcare, a failing education system, and a foreign policy that had made Pakistan dependent on foreign powers. In less than four years, despite facing unprecedented opposition and the COVID-19 pandemic, Khan's government achieved remarkable progress in multiple areas. Today, as he sits in prison on politically motivated charges, his achievements are being systematically erased from public discourse. This is the record they don't want you to remember.

The Economic Turnaround

When Khan took office, Pakistan's economy was in crisis. The debt-to-GDP ratio had ballooned under previous governments. Foreign exchange reserves were dangerously low. The current account deficit was unsustainable. The previous PML-N government had left behind an economy dependent on imports, consumption, and debt.

The Initial Challenges

The economic situation Khan inherited was dire:

External debt had doubled during the PML-N government from 2013 to 2018
Current account deficit reached $20 billion in Khan's first year—a legacy of previous consumption-led growth
Foreign reserves covered only a few weeks of imports
The rupee was overvalued, kept artificially high through borrowing
Tax collection was among the lowest in the world as a percentage of GDP

The bought media and opposition parties blamed Khan for these inherited problems. But independent economists recognized that the crisis was years in the making—the result of decades of consumption-led growth financed by borrowing.

The Reform Program

Khan's government implemented a comprehensive reform program:

Current account surplus – For the first time in years, Pakistan achieved a current account surplus
Export growth – Exports increased significantly, particularly in textiles and manufacturing
Remittance records – Overseas Pakistanis sent record remittances, trusting Khan's leadership
Tax collection increase – FBR collections reached historic highs
Industrial growth – Large-scale manufacturing showed positive growth
Construction boom – The construction sector provided jobs and economic activity

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted these gains, but Khan's government managed the crisis better than most nations, avoiding the total collapse that critics predicted.

The Smart Lockdown Strategy

When COVID-19 hit, Khan faced immense pressure to implement a complete lockdown. He refused, recognizing that millions of daily wage workers would face starvation if the economy shut down. Instead, he implemented a "smart lockdown" approach—targeted restrictions in hotspots while keeping the broader economy functioning.

Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program – Provided cash to 15 million families affected by the pandemic
Targeted lockdowns – Implemented in specific areas with high infection rates
Industry continued operating – Preserving jobs and economic activity
Healthcare expansion – Massive increase in hospital capacity and equipment
Vaccine procurement – Secured vaccines despite global shortages

International organizations praised Pakistan's COVID response. The World Health Organization cited Pakistan as a model for developing nations. Yet the bought media criticized Khan throughout the pandemic, blaming him for cases and deaths while ignoring the economic catastrophe that complete lockdowns would have caused.

Ehsaas Program: Pakistan's Largest Poverty Alleviation Initiative

The Ehsaas Program was Khan's flagship social welfare initiative—the largest in Pakistan's history. Launched in 2019, it encompassed over 150 policies and programs designed to reduce inequality, lift people out of poverty, and provide safety nets for the most vulnerable.

The Scale of Ehsaas

The program was unprecedented in Pakistani history:

Rs. 260 billion allocated specifically for poverty alleviation
15 million families reached through the emergency cash program during COVID
Over 150 separate initiatives under the Ehsaas umbrella
Transparent, data-driven targeting to reach those who needed help most
Women-focused programs recognizing that women bear the brunt of poverty

Previous governments had launched welfare programs, but these were often politically motivated, with benefits flowing to supporters rather than the truly needy. Ehsaas was different—it used data and technology to identify beneficiaries, minimizing political interference and corruption.

Key Ehsaas Initiatives

The program included numerous specific initiatives:

Ehsaas Emergency Cash – Direct cash transfers to families affected by COVID-19
Ehsaas Koye Bhooka Na Soye – Food trucks providing meals to the hungry
Ehsaas Nashonuma – Nutrition support for pregnant women and children
Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship – Full scholarships for students from low-income families
Ehsaas Langars – Community kitchens providing free meals
Ehsaas Amdan Program – Asset transfers to help poor families generate income
Ehsaas Interest-Free Loans – Microfinance for small businesses
Ehsaas Panagahs – Shelters for homeless workers

Each of these programs was designed with dignity in mind. The Panagahs, for example, were not mere shelters—they were designed as respectable facilities with proper bedding, bathrooms, and meals, recognizing that poverty does not strip a person of their humanity.

International Recognition

The Ehsaas Program received international recognition:

World Bank praised the program's transparency and targeting
International Monetary Fund cited Ehsaas as a model for social protection
Development organizations recognized the program's innovative approach
Global conferences featured Ehsaas as a case study in poverty alleviation

Yet within Pakistan, the bought media barely covered these achievements. The opposition parties that had done nothing comparable for the poor criticized and mocked the program. The contrast between Khan's concern for the poor and his opponents' indifference could not have been clearer.

Sehat Card: Healthcare for All

One of Khan's most transformative initiatives was the Sehat Card program—health insurance for all Pakistani citizens. For the first time in Pakistan's history, every citizen had access to health insurance, enabling them to receive treatment at both public and private hospitals.

The Vision

Khan's vision was simple but revolutionary: no Pakistani should be denied medical treatment because they cannot afford it. In a country where medical expenses push millions into poverty each year, this was a transformative commitment.

Universal coverage – Every family eligible for health insurance
Private hospital access – Not limited to underfunded public hospitals
Comprehensive coverage – Including major surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic diseases
Cashless treatment – No upfront payment required at participating hospitals
Nationwide expansion – Eventually extended to all provinces

The Sehat Card meant that a poor family whose child needed heart surgery could get treatment at a quality hospital without selling their home or going into debt. It meant that cancer patients could receive treatment without facing financial ruin. It was a commitment to the fundamental principle that healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

The Impact

The impact was immediate and substantial:

Millions of families enrolled across Pakistan
Thousands of life-saving treatments provided at no cost to patients
Reduced financial burden on families facing medical emergencies
Improved healthcare access in underserved areas
Private hospital participation expanding the available facilities

Previous governments had talked about universal healthcare but never implemented it. Khan's government delivered. The Sehat Card was the realization of a dream that Pakistani politicians had promised for decades but never achieved.

Naya Pakistan Housing Program

Pakistan faces a housing shortage of over 10 million units. Millions of families live in inadequate housing, and homeownership remains out of reach for most Pakistanis. Khan's Naya Pakistan Housing Program aimed to address this crisis through a combination of government support and private sector incentives.

The Housing Challenge

The housing crisis in Pakistan is severe:

10 million housing deficit and growing
Rising property prices making homeownership impossible for most
Informal settlements housing millions without proper services
Rental housing largely unregulated and often inadequate
Construction sector underdeveloped despite high demand

Previous governments had launched housing schemes, but these were typically limited to government employees or specific groups. The Naya Pakistan Housing Program was designed to be comprehensive, addressing both supply and demand.

The Program Components

The program included multiple initiatives:

Subsidized housing units for low-income families
Interest rate subsidies for home loans
Regulatory reforms to facilitate construction
Land allocation for housing projects
Private sector incentives to encourage development

The construction sector was declared an industry for the first time, making it eligible for tax benefits and bank financing. A construction fund was established to provide financing for projects. Banks were directed to increase lending for housing.

Economic Impact

Beyond providing housing, the program had significant economic benefits:

Job creation in the construction sector
Demand for construction materials stimulating related industries
Bank lending expansion to the housing sector
Investment attraction to the real estate sector
Informal economy documentation through the construction amnesty

The bought media criticized the program for not immediately solving the housing crisis—a standard that no government could meet. But the foundations were laid for a long-term solution to a problem that had been neglected for decades.

Foreign Policy Independence

Perhaps Khan's most significant achievement was transforming Pakistan's foreign policy from dependency to independence. For the first time, Pakistan pursued its own interests rather than aligning with foreign powers.

Relations with Major Powers

Khan's foreign policy was based on the principle of "friends not masters":

Balanced relations with US and China – Not choosing sides but maintaining relations with both
Improved relations with Russia – Historic visit and expanded cooperation
Regional approach – Focusing on neighbors rather than distant powers
Muslim world unity – Advocating for cooperation among Muslim nations
Independence on key issues – Taking positions based on Pakistani interests

The "absolutely not" response to American demands for bases was the most visible expression of this independence. But the policy went deeper—a comprehensive reorientation of Pakistan's place in the world.

Afghanistan Policy

Khan's approach to Afghanistan was pragmatic:

Support for peace process – Advocating for political settlement rather than continued war
Recognition of ground reality – Engaging with all parties, including the Taliban
Border management – Taking steps to secure the Durand Line
Refugee policy – Advocating for dignified return of Afghan refugees
Trade relations – Expanding economic ties with Afghanistan

Critics accused Khan of being "pro-Taliban," a charge that misrepresented his position. Khan was not supporting any particular group—he was supporting a peace process that could end decades of war and bring stability to the region. His approach was vindicated when the Taliban took power without the chaos that many had predicted.

Relations with Iran

Khan maintained balanced relations with Iran:

Border cooperation – Working to secure the Pakistan-Iran border
Trade expansion – Seeking to increase bilateral trade
Energy cooperation – Exploring gas pipeline projects
Regional stability – Opposing war on Iran
Neutrality – Not joining anti-Iran coalitions

This balanced approach kept Pakistan out of regional conflicts that would have been disastrous. While other nations were drawn into wars and proxy conflicts, Pakistan remained stable under Khan's leadership.

From Huzi's Heart

Imran Khan's achievements as Prime Minister are remarkable not because they were perfect—they weren't—but because they represented a genuine effort to transform Pakistan. Previous governments had ruled; Khan sought to serve. Previous governments had enriched themselves; Khan focused on the poor. Previous governments had bowed to foreign powers; Khan stood for sovereignty.

The bought media and the political establishment that now governs Pakistan want Khan's achievements forgotten. They want you to believe he did nothing, that his government was a failure, that Pakistan is better off without him. But the facts tell a different story—a story of progress, reform, and hope.

Khan sits in prison, his eye damaged from inadequate medical care, facing endless cases designed to keep him from politics. But his achievements cannot be imprisoned. They remain as proof of what a government that serves the people can accomplish.

May Allah grant him justice, protect his health, and return him to continue the work he began.

Written by Huzi — from Pakistan, for Imran Khan, for the record they want erased.

🇵🇸 Stand With Palestine

Imran Khan stood with Palestine when it was difficult to do so. He refused to normalize relations with the Zionist regime, maintaining Pakistan's principled position on the Palestinian cause. He spoke for the rights of Palestinians at international forums, calling out the hypocrisy of those who champion human rights elsewhere but remain silent on Palestinian suffering.

This stance cost him with Western powers who wanted Pakistan to join the normalization bandwagon. Khan refused. His commitment to justice extended beyond Pakistan's borders, recognizing that the struggle for Palestinian rights is the struggle for human dignity everywhere.

Free Palestine. May Allah grant justice to the Palestinian people and hold accountable those who have oppressed them.

May Allah ease the suffering of Sudan. The people of Sudan deserve our prayers and our solidarity.

May Allah protect Iran from aggression. Khan stood against war on Iran; may his position be vindicated.