Imran Khan is sworn in as Pakistan's new Prime Minister after his party won election on anti-corruption pledge
- Imran Khan has been sworn in as Pakistan's new prime minister after elections
- The former cricket star delivered a tearful speech as he took oath as new PM
- Khan secured 176 votes at National Assembly, while opponent secured just 96
Former cricket star turned politician Imran Khan has been sworn in as Pakistan's new prime minister after his party won the most votes in last month's election.
Khan secured 176 votes during a vote at the National Assembly, defeating opposition candidate Shahbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League party, who got 96 votes.
Mr Khan was tearful and stumbled over his words as he took the oath of office a day after being elected.
In his speech the 65-year-old promised to hold 'corrupt' politicians to account and to move to a small house in Islamabad rather than live in the lavish prime minister’s residence.
Former cricket star turned politician Imran Khan (pictured left) has been sworn by President Mamnoon Hussain (right) in as Pakistan's prime minister after party won the most votes in last month's election
The president administered an oath to the newly elected PM at Presidential Palace in Islamabad, Pakistan
Imran Khan, Prime Minister-elect at a session of the National assembly (lower house of the parliament) in Islamabad, Pakistan
He said: 'I promise to my God that everyone who looted this country will be made accountable'
'I did not climb on any dictator's shoulders. I reached this place after struggling for 22 years
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Mr Sharif and his party’s legislators disrupted Mr Khan’s speech by chanting slogans against him. He responded by saying no one could blackmail him through such protests.
Members of the 1992 cricket World Cup winning team that Mr Khan captained watched the party alongside party members and military officials.
Supporters of Imran Khan let off fire works after legislators in Pakistan formally elected him as the country's next prime minister
Mr Khan's populist Tehrik-e-Insaf party won the most seats in July 25 elections but fell short of a majority in the 342-seat house.
His victory came despite protests by opposition parties, which accused the security services of intervening on his behalf.
He said: 'We have not committed any rigging' he told legislators in a speech after being sworn in.
Shahbaz Sharif arrives at the National Assembly in Islamabad
Supporters of Khan celebrated across the country when the result was announced.
He has moved to dismiss allegations of election fraud and has vowed 'ruthless accountability' to clamp down on corruption.
The former Oxford University graduate former his party in 1996 with the pledge of forging a corruption-free 'new Pakistan' with justice for all without discrimination.
Sharif is the younger brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently serving a 10-year jail term for a corruption case.
The elder Sharif served three terms as prime minister, but was disqualified last year by the Supreme Court for concealing assets abroad.
Mr Khan has been leading protests against Sharif's government since 2013, following alleged ballot rigging.
Supporters of Imran Khan celebrate as the National Assembly elects Imran Khan as prime minister
The younger Sharif has fired back this week, insisting the elections were rigged in his favour. Supports of Sharif say Khan has been brought to power with the help of the military.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, head of opposition Pakistan People's Party, in his first speech as lawmaker, also claimed that the national elections were rigged, 'which was a shame'.
Mr Khan insisted that neither Mr Sharif nor any other person would politically strong-arm him through protests.
The new premier acquired a reputation as a playboy during his cricketing years but has since embraced conservative Islam after entering politics.
His first wife was the wealthy British heiress Jemima Goldsmith, who he married in 1996. Their two sons live with Ms Goldsmith.
He married his second wife, British journalist Rehman Khan, in 2015, but they divorced within a year. Earlier this year, he married his spiritual adviser, Bushra Maneka, who attended Saturday’s ceremony when he took the oath as premier.
Imran Khan, Prime Minister-elect at a session of the National assembly, has criticised corruption in Pakistan
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