People can fumble at oath-taking ceremonies at times. If the fabulously articulate Barak Obama can get it wrong, anyone can. Though it wasn’t the US’s first black president’s fault; Chief Justice Roberts had messed up while reading off the text.
Imran Khan also fumbled a bit during his oath-taking. In contrast, our native Urdu-speaking President (soon to be replaced by another Urdu-speaker) read right through it.
All the PTI supporters who used to make fun of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif reading off chits now had to face the jab that their leader couldn’t even read off written text.
But, jabs and points aside, perhaps a case could be made for making the oath a little simple and for the high falutin Persian and Arabic to be taken out.
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to 2013, the opposition was conspicuous by its absence. They didn’t show up and the ruling party made no efforts to keep extending invitations.
The First Lady cut quite a figure at the event. Of course, her attire did. But she proved to be friendlier and more accessible than was previously thought.
There was a lot of hustle and bustle when the army chief came in, giving the feeling to all present in the room, whether Pakistani or foreigner, where the real power lied.
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose….
