ISLAMABAD: Former Indian-cricketer-turned-politician and TV celebrity Navjot Singh Sidhu has described Imran Khan’s election as the prime minister a historic moment in the history of Pakistan.
Talking to media at Aiwan-e-Sadr (presidential palace) in Islamabad on Saturday where he attended the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan, Sidhu said that the Imran Khan as a prime minister will be a new hope for peace between India and Pakistan and region’s stability and prosperity.
“Imran Khan symbolises hope and Indian people and government have great expectations from him."
Wearing a sherwani and donning a purple turban, Sidhu drew everyone’s attention at the Aiwan-e-Sadr where Imran Khan took oath of his office as 22nd prime minister of Pakistan.
Those who bring people together are always respected and those who keep them apart are disrespected and disregarded, said Sidhu.
"Imran Khan is a popular name in India and I’m sure Indian people, too are happy to see him as the prime minister of Pakistan, said Sidhu, who is a minister in Indian Punjab cabinet.
Imran Khan is the man who can make history, he said, adding he felt highly obliged to be invited to Pakistan at this historical moment.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who also attended Imran’s oath-taking ceremony, exchanged pleasantries with Sidhu and welcomed him to Pakistan.
Besides Sidhu, Indian journalist and Imran Khan’s friend Vikram Mehta also attended the ceremony.
He and Sidhu were the only two who could make it to the ceremony despite the fact Imran Khan had also extended invitations to Bollywood star Aamir Khan, and cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.
Members of the 1992 World Cup winning squad of Pakistan, showbiz stars Javed Shaikh, singer-turned-politician Ibrarul Haq and members of the civil society were also present at the oath-taking ceremony.
Talking to media former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram said everyone was happy as Imran Khan’s 22-year long struggle had concluded in the realisation of his dream.
"Today is the day of pride and a moment of accomplishment for every Pakistani who wants his/her country to be purged of corruption, injustice and social and economic ills."
Javed Shaikh said a ‘new Pakistan’ was going to take shape and the way people celebrated Independence Day this year had never been witnessed before.
A large number of diplomats also attended the ceremony.