Imran Khan, the impending Prime Minister of Pakistan who is all set to take oath on August 11 has sent invites to a bunch of Indian celebrities for the swearing-in ceremony. As per the reports, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf i.e. PTI has sent invites to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and veteran cricketers like Kapil Deve, Sunil Gavaskar, and Navjot Singh Siddhu.
A meeting was held between some senior PTI leaders and the Foreign Office so as to decide which leader they should invite for the ceremony. Reportedly, the PTI leaders were keen to invite the heads of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states including leaders from India, China, and Turkey.
However, the members of Foreign Office pointed out that inviting foreign leaders to the ceremony will be a sensitive matter. In fact, it was also argued by FO that it would be an embarrassment if Prime Minister Narendra Modi declines the invitation.
As far as the invitations are concerned, Navjot Singh Siddhu, the cricketer-turned-politician has delightfully accepted the honor. He said, “It is great honour, I accept the invitation.” He also praised Imran Khan and talked about his character by commenting, “Khan Sahab is a man of character. He can be trusted. Sportsmen build bridges, break barriers, unite people.”
Talking about the Indo-Pak relations, it’s being said that the emergence of Imran Khan as the new leader of Pakistan may help in resolving the issues between the two nations. PM Modi had congratulated Imran Khan through a call and also expressed hope for “a new chapter in bilateral ties.”