Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed the office of the country’s chief executive after an impressive oath-taking ceremony at the President House. In line with his pre-election promise to adopt austere measures to save public money, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief reportedly had directed that his oath-taking ceremony be held in a simpler manner. The oath-taking ceremony at the President House cost the national exchequer way less than those of former premiers Nawaz Sharif and Yousaf Raza Gilani in 2013 and 2008, respectively. In a Tweet post, PTI leader Andleeb Abbas said the oath-taking ceremony of PM Imran Khan cost a mere amount of Rs 50,000 while Rs 9,200,000 and Rs 7,600,000 were spent on the ceremonies of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supreme leader and Pakistan People’s Party’s Yousaf Raza Gilani, respectively. Wearing a traditional black sherwani, in the style of his hero and Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Imran Khan recited the oath of office and vowed to respect the constitution. “I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan,” Khan read from the oath, standing next to President Mamnoon Hussain. Later, he was given a guard of honour on the lawns of the PM House. Published in Daily Times, August 20th 2018.