Navjot Singh Sidhu arrives in Pakistan, to attend friend Imran Khan's oath taking ceremony

Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday reached Pakistan where he will be attending the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Imran Khan. The swearing-in ceremony of the PTI chairman is scheduled for Saturday, August 18, 2018.

On Wednesday, the High Commission in Delhi issued a 14-day Pakistani visa to Sidhu after he had applied for a permit from the Indian government.

Though Sidhu's decision to attend the ceremony has sparked several controversies owing to the strained relationship between India and Pakistan, according to the Congress leader the invitation was in a personal capacity.

Read | Kerala Floods: Indian Navy rescues 25-year-old pregnant woman who gives birth to a baby boy

Earlier, the warm and friendly relationship between the leaders hit headlines many a time as they have more than three decade's association with each other starting from their cricket days.

Meanwhile speaking to reporters in Lahore, an excited Sidhu said, “I have come to Pakistan on my friend’s (Imran) invitation. These are very special moments".

“Athletes and artists erase distances (between countries)… I have come here bearing the message of love, and prayers for Pakistanis,” Sidhu added.

Imran Khan is expected to be elected as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan on Saturday after his party emerged as the single largest party in the July 25 general elections.

Read | Best way to honour Atal Bihari Vajpayee is by establishing peace, says Pakistan's Imran Khan

Earlier this week, Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, who also have a cordial relationship with Khan for years, have declined the invitation citing some personal reasons.