Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan takes oath as 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan
Islamabad, August 18: Cricketer-turned-politician and Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Saturday took oath as a 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan at a ceremony held at the President House in Islamabad.
This comes after Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) emerged as the single largest party with 116 seats in the July 25 general election.
Notably, Imran Khan administered his oath by the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (the President House). The ceremony commenced with the national anthem, followed by recitation of verses from the Quran. His wife Bushra Imran was also present at the oath-taking ceremony.
Other guests including caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, former Indian cricket star Navjot Singh Sidhu, cricketer-turned-commentator Rameez Raja, legendary paceman Wasim Akram, singers Salman Ahmed and Abrarul Haq and actor Javaid Sheikh attended the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan.
Navjot Singh Sidhu after arriving in Pakistan said, “I have come here as a friend, as goodwill messenger. I have brought a Kashmiri shawl as a gift for Khan. I love Kashmiri shawls and I have many. It is a symbol of love.”
A day before, Imran Khan taking the oath ceremony, legend Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar shared his bond with him and disclosed a little chat that happened between them. Sunil Gavaskar said that he wanted to retire from the International cricket but Imran Khan threw a challenge and convinced him to play.
"You can't retire now. Pakistan is coming to India next year and I want to beat India in India. If you aren't part of that team, it won't be the same. Come on, let's have one last tilt against each other," Imran Khan replied when I told him I planned to retire at the end of the India tour of England.
In the end, Sunil Gavaskar said, “My good wishes are with Imran as he embarks on the greatest challenge of his life.