Imran Khan marries former BBC journalist in Islamabad
Afzal Khan in Islamabad
Imran Khan, cricketer-turned-politician and chairman of the Pakistan Tehrike Insaf (PTI), on Thursday married TV anchor and former BBC “weather girl” Reham Khan at his Banni Gala residence here.
Mufti Sayed, reportedly a party loyalist, performed the “nikah” that was followed by a photo session. Imran was clad in an off-white Hsirwani and white kata shalwar. Rehan, too, wore a white dress.
Nearly 25 people were present at that time, though no party leader or politician was invited. PTI spokesperson Shirin Mazari said it was a simple affair in view of the Peshawar Army Public School tragedy and there would be no “valima” function either. “Instead, food will be served on Friday to the poor, particularly children,” she said.
“Imran Khan Sahib asked me to speak on his behalf to the media. His nikah just happened and the witnesses include Aun Chaudhary, Zakir Khan, Reham’s friends and others,” Mufti Sayed told mediapersons.
He refused to comment on whether the couple had tied the knot earlier. He said the “Haq Mehr” was Rs 1 lakh.
“For Haq Mehr, Imran wanted to follow Holy Prophet’s tradition. It amounted to the present day equivalent of Rs 80, 000 and Imran rounded it to Rs 1 lakh,” he said. PTI leader Imran Ismail confirmed that Mufti Syed conducted the party chief’s “nikah”. “The event was a low key affair because we did not want to celebrate due to the Peshawar school massacre,” Ismail said.
As the news broke, messages from across the country and abroad poured in. “We are praying for Imran Khan’s success,” said Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, adding that the country was facing a very tense situation and therefore the happy news was welcomed.
Days after the British press broke the news of Imran’s marriage, the former cricketer on Tuesday hinted that an official announcement was in the offing. He had gone to London to take into confidence his two sons from first wife Jammier Khan.
“Marriage is not a crime,” Imran had said at a press conference in Islamabad after his return from London. “When you have children from your first marriage, they are the first priority,” he had said, explaining that it was important for him to inform his sons first.
The cricketer-turned-politician was previously married to English journalist and activist Jemima Goldsmith for nine years. The marriage ended amicably in 2004 with Goldsmith stating that she was unable to adapt to life in Pakistan. Jemima on Tuesday congratulated the PTI leader via Twitter.
