Sidhu accepts Imran Khan’s oath invitation, says personal invitation a 'huge honour'

Navjot Singh Sidhu was among those who had reportedly been invited by Khan to attend his oath-taking ceremony.

NEW DELHI: Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday said that he has accepted the invitation extended by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and country's prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan for attending his swearing-in ceremony in Pakistan. Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu also hailed Khan for his party's performance in National Assembly elections of Pakistan. He said that Imran has risen from scratch in politics, he has exhibited great character and he sees him as a ray of hope. In a statement, he said “Its a huge honour for me. It's a personal invitation (for Imran Khan's swearing-in) from him and not a political one”. I respect the foreign policy of the Govt and the country, but this is a personal invitation(Imran Khan's swearing in). I believe sportspersons and artists break barriers, he added. media reports also claim 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. However, it is also said that some foreign friends of Imran will be invited to the event. "A few of Imran's friends are the only foreign nationals being invited to the event." It was earlier reported that former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu, along with actor Aamir Khan have been invited by the Pakistan Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan for his oath-taking ceremony. According to figures provided by the Election Commission of Pakistan, the PTI emerged as the single largest party with 115 seats after the Election Commission of Pakistan released the complete preliminary results for 270 of 272 National Assembly constituencies.