Reham's book not required to highlight Imran's failures: Ahsan Iqbal

It is rumoured she took $100,000 from Shehbaz for authoring the book, alleges PTI spokesperson

Former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said a book was not required to highlight Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Chairman Imran Khan's failures.

While speaking to the media outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), Iqbal said leaders from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were being 'forcibly' dragged into Imran and Reham's personal matters.

“This is a personal matter, what do we have to do with it,” asked Iqbal. “It is an issue concerning a former couple and we are being forcibly dragged into it,” the PML-N leader added while responding to PTI’s allegations of being involved in Reham Khan's new book which is a tell-all tale about her marriage to the PTI chief.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, however, alleged that Reham called on Maryam Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif. Chaudhry further alleged that Reham took money from Shehbaz and Maryam to stir up the controversy. He also referred to Iqbal's involvement.

Chaudhry accused Iqbal of orchestrating the meeting between Maryam and Reham. The PTI also addressed a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the Reham issue at length.

"Affiliation with Imran matters a lot on the media, even his dog will be seen on TV. Now the book in question is authored by his former wife Reham. Since she was affiliated with Imran, she's been given extraordinary coverage by the media," Chaudhry added. "For the past three days, there is a lot of talk on TV shows regarding the salacious content of the book."

The PTI spokesperson also mentioned Reham's interview with senior journalist Shahzeb Khanzada, adding that she didn't deny the allegations made in the book. "Why is such a book being launched at the time when elections are around the corner?"

He further bashed the former anchor for her statements and revelations in the book stating that the contents are vulgar and pornographic. Chaudhry called on PEMRA to keep the gossip and narrative in check. "Reham, as well as the opposition, is taking pleasure seeing such content."

The PTI spokesperson further stated that keeping in mind Reham's unemployment over the last three years, her earnings are suspicious. "How is she making money? It is rumoured that she took $100,000 from Shehbaz for authoring the book," he added.

Reham must clarify the contents of the book within 24 hours and apologise, Chaudhry concluded.

Nomination Papers

The PTI protested against the change and also refused to sign the final draft bill as it didn't have all the required information. Azam Swati, leader of the opposition, presented an amended bill but it could not be progressed.

"We respect CJP for stating his position on the Constitution and elections," Chaudhry said. However, we recommend that ECP take additional information from the candidates, he added. "We suggest ECP continue with its schedule and get the additional information by June 29."

Chief of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Tahirul Qadri also expressed his discontentment with the nomination papers presented by the Parliament. In a press conference on Tuesday, Qadri said that the nomination papers rejected by the LHC were insufficient. Like the PTI, the PAT also supports further scrutiny of candidates.