Pakistan Prime Minister designate Imran Khan has decided on an austere oath-taking ceremony, a PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf, the party Imran heads] spokesperson confirmed. The confirmation comes less than 24 hours after reports emerged that Imran invited former India cricketers like Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar for his oath-taking event.

“The PTI chairman [Imran Khan] has directed us to stage the oath-taking event with austerity,” the spokesperson told Dawn. “He will take his oath in a simple ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House). 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.”

There were also speculations surrounding the presence of the foreign heads of SAARC states in the ceremony. However, it appears that the swearing-in ceremony, on August 11, will be a completely national event.

“It is a huge honor for me. It is a personal invitation from him and not a political one,” former India batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu had earlier said.