Imran Khan Not to Invite PM Narendra Modi, Any Other Foreign Leader to Pakistan For His Swearing-in Ceremony
The PTI had initially planned to organise a fancy oath-taking ceremony for Imran Khan, with several foreign leaders and celebrities as invitees.
Islamabad, Aug 2: Pakistan's Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan has decided not to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any other foreign leader as well as celebrities to his swearing-in ceremony on August 11. Khan has opted for a simple oath-taking ceremony instead of a star-studded event. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief will take oath at the President House in Islamabad.
The PTI had initially planned to organise a fancy oath-taking ceremony for Imran Khan, with several foreign leaders and celebrities as invitees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood superstar Amir Khan and former Indian cricketers such Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavasker and Navjot Singh Sidhu were expected to be invited.
However, in an apparent change of heart today, Khan has opted against a fancy ceremony, Dawn newspaper reported. “The PTI chairman has directed to stage the oath-taking event with austerity,” Dawn newspaper quoted PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry as saying. “He will take his oath in a simple ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House),” the spokesperson said.
“It has been decided that no foreign personalities will be invited to the ceremony — it will be a completely national event. Only a few close friends of Imran Khan will be invited.There will be no show of extravagance at the event,” Chaudhry said. However, he added that some foreign friends of Imran will be invited to the event.
Earlier today, actor Aamir Khan said he was too busy to go to Pakistan for attending the PTI chief's swearing-in ceremony. However, Sidhu said that he has accepted the invitation extended by Imran Khan.
Imran Khan's PTI emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan's National Assemblyafter the July 25 election. However, it is short of numbers to form its government independently. It is now reaching out to smaller political parties and independent candidates for support to form a coalition government. But it is more or less clear that Khan is all set to become the Prime Minister.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2018 02:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).