Imran Khan updates invite; Navjot Sidhu, Kapil Dev likely to attend oath-taking ceremony

In a fresh list of invites from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf for August 18, three of India’s greatest cricketers Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu are finally getting an invite to Imran Khan’s swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister.

“The ceremony will be completely national in its façade and essence,” a statement by his party last week had said, underlining that Mr Khan had decided to go for a simple and austere ceremony.

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu faced embarrassment when he promptly accepted the yet-to-come invitation.

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The outspoken politician had declared that he would travel to Pakistan for the event, calling Imran Khan “a man of character”, a “Greek God” and someone who is “trustworthy”.

Kapil Dev had responded more cautiously, stating that he hadn’t received an invite but will surely go there for the ceremony with the government’s approval.

Sunil Gavaskar hadn’t commented. Neither had actor Aamir Khan, who figured in the earlier guest list.

Mr Khan, who played first-class cricket for two decades, has also invited the Pakistan cricket team that he captained in 1992 to a world cup victory over England.

Cricket legends from India and Kaptaan’s old friends Kapil Dev, Sidhu and Sunil Gavaskar have been invited to attend Oath Taking Ceremony of Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan @sherryontopp @therealkapildev @36notout

— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) August 10, 2018

Mr Khan, however, had to cancel his plans to stay put in his house after a security audit pointed out that it would require a massive upgrade to secure the area. His party that went house hunting finally settled for Punjab House that, according to a report in The News, is far more luxurious than any other official residence. PTI, however, says this was a stop-gap arrangement till the house in the ministers’ enclave is ready.