ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Saturday. President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath of PM office to Khan in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House). Imran Khan swore to “bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan”, and to “discharge my duties and perform my functions honestly, to the best of my ability… and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of Pakistan.”
Following the ceremony, he proceeded to the Prime Minister’s Office, where he was presented a guard of honour.
Khan clad in black sherwani arrived in Aiwan-e-Sadr (the President House) from his Banigala residence. His wife Bushra Bibi also attended the ceremony.
High-profile guests attended the ceremony included caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi.
Other notable guests at the Aiwan-e-Sadr included senior PTI leaders, former Indian cricket star Navjot Singh Sidhu, cricketer-turned-commentator Rameez Raja, legendary paceman Wasim Akram, newly elected Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, singers Salman Ahmed and Abrarul Haq, actor Javaid Sheikh and former National Assembly speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza.
Imran Khan’s sons, Suleiman and Qasim are not in Pakistan to attend the oath taking ceremony. Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of Imran Khan announced on Twitter that Khan himself had barred his sons to be at the event.
Imran’s wife Bushra Maneka arrived at President House at 9:57am. The prime minister’s security protocol arrived at Bani Gala to take Imran to President House at 9am and Imran left Bani Gala around half an hour later.
The ceremony begun with the national anthem followed by recitation from the Holy Quran, after which the cabinet secretary sought permission from the president to commence the ceremony. It was followed by the recitation of the Holy Quran, after which the oath was administered and documents signed. Imran Khan has been elected Pakistan’s prime minister by the Parliament after his party swept the general election last month, marking the beginning of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tenure in power.
Wasim Akram, who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan at Aiwan-e-Sadr, said that whole nation is happy and hopeful after the elections. “Happy to attend the change of Pakistani history. Its is a new morning and it’s a reward of Imran’s struggle of 22 years,” he said adding that youth of Pakistan is hoping for the best.
In conversation with media at the event, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that we have much hope with Imran, and it is an honor for me to attend these historic moments. He also stated that, my mother use to say that if neighbor’s house will be on fire, it will hurt you and if neighbor’s house will be cool, you will also benefit from it.
Former cricketer said that everyone have high hopes for Imran. We have our trust and hope with Imran khan.He further added that, Imran’s government will improve Pakistan’s image internationally.Earlier, chairman PTI, Imran khan was elected as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Earlier, Khan was elected 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan, nearly 22 years after he started his political struggle.
He received 176 votes as against 96 votes by his only rival Shahbaz Sharif of PML (N) at the voting held at Parliament House in Islamabad to elect Leader of the House in the National Assembly.
In a house of 372, the winning candidate was required to obtain at least 172 votes to become the Prime Minister.
Members of PTI and its allied parties greeted victory of Imran Khan with thumping of desks when Speaker Asad Qaiser declared the result after completion of voting process through division of house.
Khan, clad in a waistcoat and traditional white shalwar kameez garments, smiled broadly and could be seen wiping tears from his eyes while clutching prayer beads as the count was announced.
Khan said: “I feel that this election has been the fairest in Pakistan’s history. If any party has any doubts, we will open the results of those constituencies up for investigation.” INP
