Following the general election on 25 July 2018, Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the largest political party in Pakistan. It secured 116 general seats in the 15th National Assembly.[1] A further nine independent candidates allied themselves with the PTI, and with the addition of 28 reserved seats for women and five seats for minorities, the PTI's total tally increased to 158 in the 342-member assembly.[3]
On 17 August 2018, Khan secured 176 votes and became 22ndPrime Minister of Pakistan while his contender and leader of opposition Shehbaz Sharif received 96 votes.[6] The session was summoned at 3:30 pm PST, during which an open ballot took place amongst assembly members to elect the prime minister.[4]
In the run-up to the first assembly session, a series of party meetings took place at Khan's residence in Bani Gala to determine the most suitable candidates for Khan's incoming cabinet.[1]
Ceremony
The ceremony, hosted at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, was scheduled to begin at 9:30 am PKT but started a little after 10:00 am PKT. The ceremony started with the playing of the Qaumi Taranah, followed by a recitation from the Quran.[7]
Khan wore a simple black sherwani for the ceremony. First Lady of Pakistan Bushra Bibi was also in attendance. The first lady was clad in a white abaya.[8] She sat in the first row[9] next to National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser.[10] This was Bushra's first public appearance since her wedding to Khan earlier in 2018.[7]
The oath of office was administered in Urdu to Khan by the then-President Mamnoon Hussain and the state broadcaster PTV televised it live.[7]
The nine-course meal traditionally served after the oath of office ceremony was replaced with refreshments due to Khan's “austerity drive”. It was served in the grand hall of the President's House.[11]