Khan’s swearing-in as Pakistan’s Prime Minister may be delayed

Numbers elude party

The swearing-in of Imran Khan as Pakistan’s next premier may not be held on August 11 as announced earlier, with reports  suggesting the event is now likely to be held on August 16 or 17.

August 14 is a national holiday in Pakistan on account of Independence Day.

Khan had told Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders that he intended to take oath on August 11. However, the local media reported the ceremony is now likely to be held on August 16 or 17. Reports suggested the delay in Khan’s swearing-in may be because the PTI still does not have the required strength in Parliament to elect the new Prime Minister.Another spanner was thrown in the works this week when the election commission notified the final results of the July 25 general election but withheld results in nine national and 17 provincial assembly seats for various reasons, stirring a new controversy before the formation of the government.

The PTI’s strength in the National Assembly or Lower House with 272 directly elected members has gone down from 116 to 112 and the tally of its ally, the Balochistan Awami Party, has gone from four to three.