Stance on key issues

Military dominance:

Pakistan’s powerful military establishment has directly or indirectly ruled the country for most of its seven decades of existence. Khan dismissed widespread allegations of manipulation during the election campaign by the military and sidestepped discussion on its role in civilian affairs, by simply saying the army is Pakistan.

Treatment of women

Khan has publicly expressed his admiration for the justice dispensed against women by “jirgas” — or councils of elders. These councils have banned women from voting, given children to old men to marry in order to settle disputes, and ordered a woman to be stripped naked and paraded through a village for a dishonour or crime committed by a male relative.

The blasphemy law

Khan campaigned openly promising to support and defend Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Rights groups and minorities say the measures are often used to settle local scores.

Relationship with US

Khan has been critical of the US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan and drone strikes that have killed militants — and sometimes civilians — on the Pakistani side of the border. He says former Pakistani leaders have sold out the country’s pride for billions of dollars in US aid. He says he wants good ties with Washington but on an equal footing, calling the current relationship one-sided.

Ties with India

Khan says he wants good relations with neighbouring India but said the core of their differences is the disputed Kashmir region, which is divided between the two nuclear powers and claimed by both.