Imran Khan Sworn In As Pakistan PM, Sidhu Seated Next to PoK Prez

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan will take oath as Pakistan’s 21st Prime Minister on Saturday, 18 August.

The Quint
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Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan took oath as Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister.
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Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan took oath as Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister.
(Photo: AP)

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Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan took oath as Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister on Saturday, 18 August, at the President’s House in Islamabad.

  • The PTI secured 116 general seats in the National Assembly in the 25 July polls, and is the largest party in the lower house of Parliament
  • Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived in Pakistan on 17 August to attend the ceremony as Imran Khan’s “friend”
  • Indian envoy to Pakistan attended ceremony

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Imran Khan to Take Oath on 18 August

Marking an end to the speculations, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Friday, 10 August declared that its Chairman, Imran Khan would take oath as the country’s 21st Prime Minister on Saturday,18 August.

This development was confirmed by PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry who told Dawn:

‘It has been decided by the party that Imran Khan will take the oath as prime minister of Pakistan on 18 August. The decision was taken in a meeting of senior party leaders at his residence in Banigala.’

The PTI claims to have secured a simple majority in the NA by having the support of 180 MNAs.

(With inputs from Dawn)

Navjot Singh Sidhu Arrives in Pakistan to Attend Imran's Oath-taking Ceremony

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday, 17 August, arrived in Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of his cricketer friend Imran Khan. The cricketer-turned-politician will be sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 18 August.

"I have come to Pakistan on my friend's [Imran] invitation. These are very special moments," Sidhu was quoted as saying by Geo TV.

"Hindustan jeevey, Pakistan jeevey!" he chanted.

Wearing a blue suit and a pink turban, Sidhu arrived in Lahore via the Wagah border from where he will travel to Islamabad.

He said he has brought "a message of love" to Pakistan as a goodwill ambassador of India.

Imran Khan Elected Pakistan's PM, Will Take Oath Tomorrow

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on Friday, 17 August defeated Shahbaz Sharif in a one-sided contest to become Pakistan's next prime minister after the grand opposition alliance fell apart over the PML-N chief's nomination for the top post, PTI reported.

The election in the 15th National Assembly became just a formality after the Pakistan Peoples Party led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with 54 seats abstained from voting.

Khan, 65, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), secured 176 votes while his only rival and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Sharif got 96 votes.

A total of 172 votes in the 342-member lower house of Parliament are needed to form a government.

Guests Arrive For Swearing In Ceremony

Pakistan Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, former Pakistan cricketers Rameez Raja and Wasim Akram, newly elected Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, singers Salman Ahmed and Pakistani actor Javaid Sheikh arrived for the ceremony.

Former Indian cricketer and politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was also present.

Pak Army Chief, Sidhu Greet Each Other

Navjot Singh Sidhu and Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa greeted each other during Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony in Islamabad.

PTI Tweets Photo Of PM Imran Khan

Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf tweeted a photo of him, introducing him as ‘Prime Minister of Pakistan.’

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Imran Khan's Wife Present At Oath-Taking Ceremony

Imran Khan's wife Bushra Maneka was present at his oath-taking ceremony.

Imran Khan Arrives For His Oath-Taking Ceremony

Imran Khan arrived at the President House for his oath-taking ceremony, reported Dawn News.

Ceremony Begins With Recitation of Quran

Oath-taking ceremony begins with the recitation of Holy Quran.

Imran Khan Takes Oath As Pakistan Prime Minister

PTI Chief Imran Khan takes oath as 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was administered oath by the country’s President Mamnoon Hussain.

Watch: Imran Khan Fumbles During Oath-Taking Ceremony

Sidhu Seated Next to PoK Masood Khan

Navjot Singh Sidhu was seated next to President of PoK Masood Khan at Imran Khan's oath ceremony, reported ANI.

(Photo: ANI)

Sidhu Could Have Avoided the Seating, Says J&K Cong Chief

J&K Congress Chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir reacted to Navjot Singh Sidhu being seated next to PoK President Masood Khan, at Imran Khan’s oath ceremony in Pakistan, saying:

He is a responsible person and a minister. Only he can answer, but yes he could have avoided this: on 
Ghulam Ahmed Mir, J&K Congress Chief

Published: 16 Aug 2018,01:14 AM IST

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