Oxford-educated Imran takes oath as Pak PM... stumbles with Urdu
ISLAMABAD: Cricketerturned politician Imran Khan on Saturday began a new innings as Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister, assuming the reins at a time when the country is facing serious financial woes, uneasy ties with its neighbours and possible international sanctions for failing to combat terrorism. Khan, 65, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf, was administered the oath of office by President Mamnoon Hussain at Aiwan-e-sadr (President House) here.
While taking oath as Pak PM, Khan stumbled over some Urdu words and wrongly pronounced them. Clad in a traditional greyish black sherwani, a tearful Khan was seen little nervous as he stumbled over some of the Urdu words of the oath administered to him.
When President Hussain said the words “Roz-e-qiyaamat” (the day of Judgement), Khan did not hear the exact phrase and called out the words wrongly terming them as “Roz-eqiyaadat” (the day of leadership) hence completely changing the meaning of the sentence. Once corrected by the president, Khan realised his mistake, smiled subtly, said “sorry” and continued with his oath taking. Some Pakistani journalists even wondered if the PM’S oath has changed from past years, The News reported.
Salman Masood, The New York Times Pakistan Correspondent, said that the oath taking ceremony should have been rehearsed. “President Mamnoon Hussain is trying to speak in an immaculate Urdu accent, making it hard for Imran Khan to catch up. Perhaps, Imran Khan should have taken oath in English,” he tweeted.