Imran Khan says will take oath as premier on Aug 11

E-Paper | October 28, 2026

Imran Khan says will take oath as premier on Aug 11

Dawn.com Published July 30, 2018

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that he will take oath as prime minister on August 11, Radio Pakistan reported on Monday.

Khan shared this information while talking to the newly elected lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Islamabad. He said that the name for the slot of KP chief minister will be announced soon.

Speaking on Sindh, he said alleviation of poverty from interior Sindh will be among the top priorities of PTI government.

Although the PTI has emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly after the polls, the final results issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) show that the party is still short of numbers to form its government independently. According to the results, the PTI has bagged 115 general seats — 22 short of simple majority — whereas the PML-N and PPP have won 64 and 43 seats, respectively.

To meet the required number of votes, the PTI leadership has reportedly been approaching the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), PML-Quaid (PML-Q), and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), as well as independents.

Meanwhile, two major parties — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party — have agreed on formulation of a “coordinated joint strategy” if the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf manages to form its government at the centre.

ELECTIONS 2018

Imran starts preparations for formation of govt at Centre

Foreign observers find no meddling by troops in polling

PTI largest party with 115 NA seats as ECP releases final tally two days after polls

ARIF

Jul 30, 2018 11:59am

Best of luck.

Recommend 0

Zaidi

Jul 30, 2018 12:06pm

Why not on 14 August ? Let's celebrate real Independence Day.

Recommend 0

Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Jul 30, 2018 12:08pm

I say to Imran Khan, good luck and nation is with you - do not let corrupt mafia and their masterminds get way, recover all looted money, no mercy to Sharif and Zardari families, chose your team members on merits, and do your best for the ordinary citizens and take care of them! This will take you long way with respect, dignity and popularity among the poor and the needy people!

Recommend 0

Azam

Jul 30, 2018 12:10pm

Best wishes for IK

Recommend 0

BRIJ

Jul 30, 2018 12:27pm

Please donot say that PTI has 115 seats. It has effectively 109 seats if those who have won from more than 1 seat give up their extra seats.Mr. Pervez Elahi, another supporter of PTI (who has won on 2 seats of NA and one seat of Punjab Assemply) will give up his one seat of NA. In case Mr. Pervez Elahi chooses to retain his Punjab Assembly seat, one more seat will be reduced. In case he chooses to remain in Centre, he will have to give up his Punjab Assembly.

Recommend 0

Jul 30, 2018 12:31pm

August 11 is very appropriate since that is the historic day when Jinnah made his first speech to the first constituent assembly of Pakistan, setting the direction of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

ILYAS

Jul 30, 2018 12:33pm

PTI needs 136 (out of 270). This is the magic number but as per article 93/4 of the constitute this is not mandatory if they have the majority. Only way they cannot form the govt in the centre if a group emerges which has the backing of all parities including independent which is very unlikely.

Recommend 0

Shah

Jul 30, 2018 12:36pm

FINALLY an honest person!!!

Recommend 0

salman

Jul 30, 2018 12:44pm

@BRIJ No, your understanding is wrong. If any seat is vacated than required count also goes down with it. Like for e.g if required count is 136 for 270 NA seats and than PTI withdraws from 6 NA seats than required count will also goes down by 130 until by-elections are held on them.

Recommend 0

RUMI

Jul 30, 2018 12:48pm

Wishful thinking. He still doesn't have enough numbers.

Recommend 0

babu

Jul 30, 2018 01:01pm

imraan khan zindabad

Recommend 0

Malik

Jul 30, 2018 01:08pm

@Shah :) lets c bro. wait and c

Recommend 0

Wahab

Jul 30, 2018 01:10pm

@Zaidi he will attend 14 -08 parade as PM

Recommend 0

Ali

Jul 30, 2018 01:15pm

Who says prayers dont work. IK, our PM.

Recommend 0

Ahmad

Jul 30, 2018 01:20pm

Good choice of date. Same date 11 Aug 1947 Quaid e Azam announced vision for Pakistan in the constitutional assembly.

Recommend 0

Imran

Jul 30, 2018 01:27pm

@BRIJ The PTI could emerge victorious in by-elections on vacated seats.

Recommend 0

Imtiaz Ali Khan

Jul 30, 2018 01:44pm

Good Luck Kaptaan! Long live PTI's Mission of corruption free Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Parvez

Jul 30, 2018 01:54pm

If the vote was ' managed ' as claimed ..... why is it that Imran has to go fishing to form a government ?

Recommend 0

Jamal R

Jul 30, 2018 02:01pm

First show the numbers.

Recommend 0

Fareed N

Jul 30, 2018 02:05pm

@Zaidi - Pakistani politicians are shifting sand. I guess IK wants to take oath as early as possible before they change their loyalty.

Recommend 0

flying star

Jul 30, 2018 02:17pm

@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani excellent comment.

Recommend 0

Brian

Jul 30, 2018 02:20pm

Very funny confidence of imran.

Recommend 0

Brian

Jul 30, 2018 02:25pm

On the one hand imran was so insecure to contest in 5 places, on the other hand he has started inviting foreign leaders without majority.

Recommend 0

asif

Jul 30, 2018 02:34pm

@Imran : that's not the point. the point is what is counted towards a simple majority for deciding the PM

Recommend 0

Kirby

Jul 30, 2018 02:49pm

Good luck Kaptan. My suggestion - please do not delay action against those who are corrupt or have corrupted the system. Now is the time and public SHALL support your action NOW! They voted you in simply on cleaning up the house. You will lose support if you drag your action against mafia and institutions. NOW is the time. That is to give respect to vote. Go and be ruthless to corrupt and kind to all! My two cents!

Recommend 0

Ravi

Jul 30, 2018 03:08pm

@AW yes, but since then Pakistan is going direction less.

Recommend 0

Isaiah

Jul 30, 2018 03:11pm

Finally My Pakistan is in safe hands. The news agency should name it the 'Second Independence'

Recommend 0

iffi

Jul 30, 2018 03:13pm

InshaAllah a beginning of a prosperous & vibrant Pakistan under the great Imran Khan

Recommend 0

Shah

Jul 30, 2018 03:18pm

Good date. Then he can address the nation on the 14th of August :)

Recommend 0

Agha Mobeen

Jul 30, 2018 03:20pm

It's good to know he is taking oath as a PM on 11th of August. This nation has high hopes with Imran and wish him all the best. Just eliminate corruption from the country and whole nation would be thankful to you and your government.

Recommend 0

VIJAY

Jul 30, 2018 03:32pm

@BRIJ , you are wrong. IK = 5 Votes in NA & P Ilahi = 2 Votes. This is the new rule, just made today.

Recommend 0

Amer Rao

Jul 30, 2018 03:33pm

Pakistan Zindabad

Recommend 0

khabboo

Jul 30, 2018 03:48pm

@Zaidi - "why not on 14th"- Maybe people want to be out there celebrating independence rather than watching IK taking oath on TV.

Recommend 0

Jul 30, 2018 03:51pm

It will be shortest government of country ever in History if it fails to prove majority. Also in such case next largest party is invited to form government. Joint conclusion among the elected candidates elements will be key factor to success.

Recommend 0

Adil Jadoon

Jul 30, 2018 03:53pm

@Zaidi Why not get an early start...there is much to be done by all of us and not just the govt.

Recommend 0

Salman

Jul 30, 2018 04:01pm

@Zaidi He'd need to be elected PM before Aug 14th so that he'd raise the flag at the ceremony.

Recommend 0

Khurram

Jul 30, 2018 04:01pm

IK seems to be in too much hurry. He celebrated before counting started, he addressed nation before results were out, he announced date for oath before getting the numbers, hopefully he doesn't take oath before he is declared PM. I am not sure what is behind his early announcements? I am not against IK but the way things are happening doesn't bode well.

Recommend 0

Salman

Jul 30, 2018 04:11pm

@BRIJ The PM needs simple majority from the elected members whatever that count is after taking MNA oath. Simple majority of elected members would not be 137 and would reduce proportional to the number of elected members.

Recommend 0

Khaja

Jul 30, 2018 04:13pm

Mr Khan your party may be the largest number of seats, but you lack mandate of the people. Not a long time ago, you criticized MQM as a terrorist outfit, but for the sake of power, there is no problem to seek their support and in return offering caroots of ministries.

Recommend 0

Anwar baig baloch

Jul 30, 2018 04:16pm

Good luck

Recommend 0

Jalbani Baloch

Jul 30, 2018 04:54pm

It is unfortunate that IK did not get solid majority to implement his vision of new Pakistan. He is short of majority and will depend on the support of smaller parties, which will surely bargain for their own interests. His wish to become PM could be fulfilled but his dream can hardly be fulfilled.

Recommend 0

Sohail

Jul 30, 2018 05:01pm

@Zaidi Agreed!!!

Recommend 0

Alla bux

Jul 30, 2018 05:13pm

@Imran don’t be too sure. They wii be under microscope and rigging will be more difficult

Recommend 0

Dr Brinder Singh Saigal

Jul 30, 2018 05:18pm

My sincere good wishes to Imran Khan and all Pakistanis!

Recommend 0

Saeed Khatana

Jul 30, 2018 05:18pm

May Allaah Subhanhu wa Ta’ala protect and guide our noble leader ameen. And may He keep him steadfast during trying times. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD

Recommend 0

ahmed

Jul 30, 2018 05:49pm

Start building new Pakistan

Recommend 0

Harmony-1©

Jul 30, 2018 06:46pm

@Ravi - Typical Indian mockery. Still smarting from independence!

Recommend 0

TKhan

Jul 30, 2018 07:16pm

@Zaidi - No Sir, August 14th is a sacred day, it must be celebrated separately on its own importance. August 11 will be an importantly significant day as a new honest leader will take over.

Recommend 0

HonorBright

Jul 30, 2018 07:19pm

I admit being biased; as soon as PML-N and PPP come together i am overcome by apprehensions..

Recommend 0

Zak

Jul 30, 2018 07:25pm

IK we know you will lead Pakistan to the world cup of national governance. We will be the envy of other poor nation's around us and in the world.

Recommend 0

Zak

Jul 30, 2018 07:26pm

For us ,you are already our Prime Minister.

Recommend 0

Ali Kazmi

Jul 30, 2018 08:41pm

@Jamal R; 'First show the numbers.' That will happen in the parliament.

Recommend 0

Bill

Jul 30, 2018 08:59pm

Khan's PTI party is still short of numbers to form a government on its own, but not according to Imran.

Recommend 0

Fatima

Jul 30, 2018 09:01pm

InshAllah! Yes it will ll

Recommend 0

Sajjad

Jul 30, 2018 09:48pm

As a Sindhi I vehemently say to Imran khan please set us free (Sindhi people) through changing the name9 of BISP to ISPP ( Income Supporr to Poverty-striken). PPP has beeb looting naive Sindhi people by claiming that they r running BISP programme on the money of Benazir Bhutto.

Recommend 0

420

Jul 30, 2018 10:19pm

It would be tragedy.

Recommend 0

Ahmer

Jul 30, 2018 10:57pm

@Zaidi b/c Jinnah gave his fist speech on 11 August after partition occurred.

Recommend 0

Sarfaraz Khan, Dallas, TX

Jul 30, 2018 11:13pm

Yes Imran Khan should consider taking an oath on August 14th.

Recommend 0

Usman

Jul 30, 2018 11:33pm

Best of luck Imran bhai. We are with you.

Recommend 0

Imran

Jul 31, 2018 05:53am

Go PTI GO and form the Government

Recommend 0

Abdul Rahman Jan

Jul 31, 2018 05:58am

Why not 14th August?

Recommend 0

Texan

Aug 01, 2018 01:15pm

This will be first August 14th in 10 years that nation will be listening to PM speech on August 14th. If he does only 50% of what he says, nation will be free from incompetent family/dynasty parties as this could bring a big change in the next election.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Mashreq simplifies cross border banking for Pakistanis in the UAE

From opening an account to sending money home, Mashreq Pakistan Account offers a seamless digital experience. No branch visits or paperwork, just everyday banking back home made easy.

Nishat Group and LUXEED sign strategic MoU to bring Premium New Energy Vehicles to Pakistan

Pakistan’s diversified business group joins hands with LUXEED, with the backing of Chery Group, to build a premium new energy ecosystem for Pakistani customers

A deeper connection to Madinah: Knowledge economic city makes its Pakistan debut at the Saudi-Pakistan Real Estate Expo

KEC will present its full masterplan and Al Alyaa residential community, introducing a connected lifestyle destination in a city cherished by generations of Pakistani families.