Imran Khan has been sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. The ceremony began shortly after 10 AM on Saturday morning and was hosted at the Aiwan-i-Sadr.

While Imran Khan’s own two sons were missing in attendance, high profile guests included care taker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Navy Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. Along with senior PTI leaders, cricketer and now commentator Rameez Raja, actor Javaid Shaikh, Wasim Akram and singers Salman Ahmed and Abrarul Haq were also in attendance.

Following the national anthem and recitation from the Holy Quran, the oath was administered to Khan by President Mamnoon Hussain. 

Khan swore to “bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan”, and to “discharge my duties and perform my functions honestly, to the best of my ability… and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of Pakistan.”

The ceremony was broadcasted live by PTV. Guests were asked to only bring their NIC; handbags, purses, mobile phones or any other electronics were not allowed. Moreover, on Khan’s request, the ceremony’s menu of nine dishes was reduced to refreshments only as part of his ‘austerity drive’.

The oath taking ceremony was First Lady Bushra Imran’s first public appearance since their wedding last year. After taking the oath, the premier and First Lady greeted guests and accepted congratulations from them.

Khan was then ushered to the Prime Minister House, where he was presented a guard of honour by contingents of the Armed, Naval and Air Forces.

Khan’s induction as the premier puts an end to the oscillating shift of power between the political giants PPP and PML-N, who’s rule has oft been interrupted by periods of military dictatorship.