ISLAMABAD: Although President Mamnoon Hussain has announced the maiden session of the newly elected National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday, August 13, some 19 days after the July 25 general elections.

Sources in the party told Gulf News here on Friday that Imran Khan had expressed his desire to take oath on Independence Day, August 14. However, after the President summoning the session on August 13, chances were remote that Imran Khan could take oath on his desired date.

After the Election Commission notified the successful candidates on August 7 in the wake of July 25 elections, Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk on August 9 sent a summary to the President for convening the National Assembly’s session which was duly approved. However, it is yet to be seen whether it would be Mamnoon Hussain administering oath to the new prime minister of Pakistan since Mamnoon is scheduled to proceed to Ireland on a private three-day visit beginning from August 16. Alternatively, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani could perform his duties as acting president of the country.

A PTI official had earlier had requested President Mamnoon Hussain to drop his visit. According to sources, the President has not yet made up his mind.

Traditionally, as per parliamentary practice the first session of National Assembly is meant only for oath taking of the newly elected members.

After a break of one day, National Assembly will meet to elect the House Speaker and his deputy.

For the post of Speaker National Assembly, PTI has named its KP Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, while the former Governor of Punjab, Ch Muhammad Sarwar, has again been selected for the job. The difference is that previously he was Governor with PML-N’s support, and now he will be propped up by PTI.

When contacted, PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry expressed the hope that Imran Khan would take oath between Aug 15 and 17.

Imran Khan’s spokesman Naeemul Haq said that his party had demanded an early session of the National Assembly.

According to sources, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had urged President Mamnoon and governors of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan to step down from their offices, following Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair.

Hussain however seems unlikely to tender his resignation under the present circumstances.