Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Navjot Singh Sidhu not invited for Imran Khan's swearing-in ceremony

Days after media reports that Imran Khan has invited his cricketer buddies from India - Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Navjot Singh Sidhu – for his oath-taking ceremony as Pakistan prime minister, his party the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday clarified that it has not invited any foreign leaders or celebrities as Imran wants to keep his swearing-in “extremely simple” and “austere” event.

Earlier on Wednesday, a PTI spokesperson had said that Imran Khan had personally invited his cricketer friends across the border but on Thursday the party said that no foreign leaders or cricketer, actor celebrities will be invited for the August 11 ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadar (President House).

Cricketer-turned-politician and Punjab minister Sidhu, who was excited to be among the first invitees for the swearing-in ceremony of his “close friend” was yet to react on the development.

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Speaking to reporters at Chandigarh press club, Sidhu on Thursday Sidhu had said that it was an “honour” to be among the first invitees and “if he was allowed, he would definitely go”. He also clarified that Imran had invited him personally but an official invite was yet to reach him.

Commenting on Imran’s charming looks, the Congress leader even likened Khan to a Greek God.

“We have shared a special relationship since 1983. I had heard that he was a Greek God, but when I first saw him, I felt that if there were parameters to assess looks, he was ahead of a Greek god,” Sidhu had said.

He also expressed hopes that Pakistan will achieve new heights and usher an era of hope and peace under Imran Khan.

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“When you look at him, you want to trust him. When his mother died of cancer, he constructed a cancer hospital where world-class doctors now treat patients for free. It tells you the intention of the man. From winning one seat to becoming the prime minister, he has risen from the scratch. He didn’t bow down when he faced rejection. I have seen him turn a weakness into his strength, obstacles into stepping stones, and disaster into triumph. He fought the system and today he has been empowered to change the system,” the fan in Sidhu said.