In 2002, Imran Khan began developing the concept of establishing a college adjacent to Namal Lake in the Mianwali District after observing high unemployment rates among the youth, many of whom were unskilled.

[5][6] In December 2005, an agreement was reached to grant Namal College associate status at the University of Bradford.

[12] In 2007, Imran Khan invited ten students from Bradford to spend a week studying at Namal College in Pakistan.

The program aimed to educate participants about the economic, cultural, and social challenges facing Pakistan and to observe the effects of globalization on developing countries.

[13] In 2009, Namal College enrolled its inaugural class of 68 students in programs including computer science, software engineering, and network administration.