Imran Khan takes oath, becomes Pakistan's 22nd Prime Minister
Islamabad, Aug 18 (IBNS): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party chief Imran Khan on Saturday became the 22nd Prime Minister of the country as he took oath at a simple ceremony at the President's house.
The former cricketer-turned-politician was administered the oath by President Mamoon Hussain.
The oath-taking ceremony commenced at 10:10am with the national anthem after Imran arrived at the President House clad in a black sherwani.
The national anthem was followed by a recitation of the Holy Quran after which, President Mamnoon administered the oath to Imran.
Imran Khan takes oath as new #PrimeMinister of Pakistan. 🇵🇰
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) August 18, 2018
President Mamnoon Hussain administered oath of office to the newly elected Prime Minister.#PrimeMinisterIK pic.twitter.com/m8jIXI9zbK
Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Zubair Mahmood Hayat and Chief of Air Staff Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan were among those who attended the ceremony.
Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi, former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, Wasim Akram, actor Javed Sheikh, Punjab governor designate Chaudhry Sarwar, Punjab Assembly speaker Pervez Elahi, Ramiz Raja, caretaker prime minister Nasir-ul-Mulk and PTI leaders were also in attendance.
Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan after taking oath was presented a guard of honour on his arrival at PM House in Islamabad today by a contingent drawn from three services. He inspected the guard of honour and took the salute. #PrimeMinisterImranKhan pic.twitter.com/kDCGN6WgSz
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 18, 2018
After the oath-taking ceremony, Imran was presented a guard of honour at Prime Minister House.
Imran Khan, 65, will be leading the third consecutive democratic government in Pakistan since 2008 when military ruler General Pervez Musharraf announced elections after serving as president from 2001 to 2008 following a bloodless coup in 1999.
Khan's party secured the highest votes in last month's general election and he himself managed to secure more votes than his opponents at the country's National Assembly.
Khan won 176 votes as opposed to his opponent, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif, who received 96 votes.
After getting elected Imran had said that his main aim was to boost the failing economy of the country.
Khan has also promised to hold corrupt lawmakers to account and punish them for looting the country.
"First of all, we will start strict accountability. I promise to my God that everyone who looted this country will be made accountable," he said.
"I did not climb on any dictator's shoulders; I reached this place after struggling for 22 years."
Khan was a favourite to win the election, which like most, was claimed by opposition as rigged.
Image: twitter.com/pid_gov
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