Prime Minister of Pakistan

 On 17th August 2018, Khan secured 176 votes and assumed the role of the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan, taking the oath of office on 18th August 2018. Following his inauguration, Khan initiated significant changes within the country's bureaucracy, appointing Sohail Mahmood as Foreign Secretary, Rizwan Ahmed as Maritime Secretary, and Naveed Kamran Baloch as Finance Secretary. Notably, he appointed Lieutenant General Asim Munir to the crucial position of Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence, marking his first major appointment within the Pakistan Army.

Khan promptly announced his cabinet selections after assuming office, opting to retain the Ministry of Interior for himself initially, though later appointing Ijaz Ahmed Shah as interior minister. Many of his cabinet appointees had previous ministerial experience during the Musharraf era, while others had defected from the left-wing People's Party. In 2019, Khan committed to a significant reshuffle in key ministries, including interior, finance, information, and planning.

Despite the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Khan emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations with Saudi Arabia amidst Pakistan's economic crisis. He also expressed concerns over U.S. sanctions against Iran, highlighting the adverse impact on Pakistan and advocating against further conflicts in the Muslim world.

Khan prioritized fostering close ties with China, although he stated limited awareness regarding China's treatment of its Muslim population. Nonetheless, Khan affirmed that he had privately addressed the issue in discussions with Chinese officials.

In 2019, Khan was recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the "Leaders" category. 

Khan with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House in July 2019