Indian celebrities get Imran's invite; Govt won't impose any restriction, Sources say

Imran Khan, who is set to take the oath on August 11 as Prime Minister of Pakistan, has invited cricketers Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu and actor Aamir Khan for his swearing-in ceremony.

Kapil Dev (L) with Imran Khan. Photo: AFP (File)

NEW DELHI: Those who were invited by Pakistan's Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan for his oath-taking ceremony can very well travel to the neighbouring country and the government will not impose any travel restrictions on them, sources said on Thursday. Imran Khan, who is set to take the oath on August 11 as Prime Minister of Pakistan, has invited cricketers Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu and actor Aamir Khan for his swearing-in ceremony. According to sources, Khan's invitations to these Indian celebrities is a personal one and it's up to them whether to accept or refuse. The government will not stop anyone from going to Pakistan to attend the event, they said, adding that Sidhu, however, will require a political clearance as he is holding a constitutional post and serving as a cabinet minister in Punjab government. Commenting on Imran's invitation, Sidhu said he is all set to attend the swearing-in ceremony. "If I am allowed, then I will definitely go. It is a huge honour," Sidhu said, alluding to a clearance by the Centre. He also hoped relations between India and Pakistan would improve with Khan becoming his country's prime minister. "My personal opinion is that sportsmen break barriers. They unite people. I see a sportsman in great Imran Khan and I see someone who will always do good to mankind. I have great hopes that relations will improve," Sidhu said. Sidhu recalled how he first met Khan at Faridabad in 1983 during a cricket match, and they developed a mutual respect. "I saw him as a pure soul. I saw him as a selfless man who always worked for the team," said Sidhu. Kapil Dev, however, said he is still unaware of the invitation and if he receives it, he will surely travel to Pakistan. "I haven't checked about the invitation yet, but if I will get the invite then I will surely go there for the oath-taking ceremony, considering Govt approval," he told ANI. Meanwhile, Pakistan said that no foreign leader will be invited to the ceremony as the prime minister in-waiting wants to keep the event very simple and dignified. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said: "No dignitary from abroad except a few close friends of Chairman PTI Imran Khan would attend the simple and dignified oath-taking at Aiwan-e-Sadar (President House)." Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan's National Assembly after the July 25 general election, but lacks the numbers to form the government on its own. Khan haS said he would take oath as Pakistan's prime minister on August 11. (With inputs from PTI)