President Mamnoon postpones foreign tour for oath-taking ceremony on August 17

ISLAMABAD -  President Mamnoon Hussain will administer the oath of Prime Minister office to new premier, most probably Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman, Imran Khan, on August 17.

The president has postponed his three-day Edinburgh visit scheduled on Aug 16 to take part in the ceremony after a meeting with caretaker Information Minister, Ali Zafar.

Zafar stressed that the presence of President Hussain was necessary for government formation.

Moreover, the President has directed Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra to perform their duties until the formation of new government.

President Mamnoon Hussain has also approved the summary moved by Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (R) Nasirul Mulk to summon the session of the National Assembly (NA) on August 13 at 10 AM.

Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting, and Law, Barrister Ali Zafar said it was also expected that sessions of all the provincial assemblies would also be called on the same dates.

During the first session, the lawmakers-elect will take an oath administered by the former speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq.

Afterward, the lawmakers will elect the Prime Minister by casting vote in favor of their preferred candidate.

Currently, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief, Imran Khan and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz President, Shehbaz Sharif are in the run for the top slot, however, the cricketer-turned-politician seems to be in a comfortable position to steer the country.

PTI’s spokesperson, Fawad Chaudhry had announced that the party had secured the support of 180 lawmakers, contending that the support of 172 legislators is necessary to form government at the federal level.

Following the election, the Prime Minister will take an oath of his office which will be administered by President Mamnoon Hussain, most probably at the President House.

PTI had earlier announced that it will not invite foreign dignitaries at the oath-taking ceremony.

According to the chief of staff of Imran Khan, Naeemul Haque, the Prime Minister will reside at the annexe of the Punjab House, instead of the palatial PM House, under the austerity drive.