Pakistan's Imran Khan wins vote without majority

Wide-ranging address

Khan, a 65-year-old former cricket star, claimed victory in a wide-ranging address to the nation on Thursday.

"We were successful and we were given a mandate," he said from his home in the capital Islamabad. "Today in front of you, in front of the people of Pakistan, I pledge I will run Pakistan in such a way as it has never before been run."

Khan's statement came after his supporters took to the streets to celebrate.

Seeking good relations with his neighbors, Khan addressed Pakistan's rival, India. The two nuclear powers have had a long-running conflict over the disputed Kashmir region.

"Take one step toward us and we will take two steps toward you," he said.

Before the election, his crowning glory was to drive the cricket team to its first and only Cricket World Cup triumph in 1992.

He retired at age 39, opened a cancer hospital in memory of his mother two years later, and launched his political party, the PTI, four years later.

As the Oxford graduate was set to become the first international cricketer in the world to be elected as a country's prime minister, ex-teammate Ramiz Raja who was part of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning side captained by Khan, said on Twitter: "Who could be a bigger and better example of a leader than Imran Khan, who as a super star had the world at his feet and yet elbow greased for 22 years to work for his objective and vision ... he's special and we are proud to have him as our prime minister."

Reuters - Xinhua - AFP - AP