Imran Khan opts for simple oath-ceremony, not to invite foreign-leaders
What's the story
Imran Khan has decided against inviting foreign leaders and celebrities to his oath-taking ceremony as Pakistan's new Prime Minister as he wants to keep the event very simple.
Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest party in the elections held on July 25.
The 65-year-old leader is expected to take oath on August-11.
He will take his oath at Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House).
Information
PTI had planned to invite foreign leaders including Narendra Modi
Imran's PTI had initially planned to invite several foreign leaders and personalities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and Indian cricketers like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Navjot Singh Sidhu to the event.
National event
Ceremony will be a completely national event: PTI spokesperson
"The ceremony will be a completely national event. Only a few close friends of Imran Khan will be invited," Dawn newspaper quoted PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry as saying.
"There will be no show of extravagance at the event," Chaudhry said.
However, a few of Imran's friends are the only foreign nationals being invited to the event, he added.
Austerity measures
Khan has pledged to save taxpayers' money
President Mamnoon Hussain will administer to Khan the oath of the office.
After his party's victory in the elections, Khan has pledged to take austerity measures to save taxpayers' money.
He had announced that he would not move into the Prime Minister's House and a final decision on the fate of the building would be decided by the party.