President Arif Alvi, Samina Alvi talk about marriage, personal life

The President of Pakistan Arif Alvi and the first lady Samina Alvi recently sat down for a candid interview on a local news channel. The couple opened up about their marital life, kids, and shared anecdotes from their childhood. President Alvi also discussed his humble journey from a dentist to being the 13th Head of State of Pakistan.

The host began by saying how she has always dreaded interviewing politicians, let alone the President. "But you shouldn't be scared as I am not scared of you," the President chuckled, as the First Lady added she isn't just as comfortable as her husband when it comes to being on camera.

Talking about his childhood, President Alvi revealed his elders had always branded him as the 'mischievous one. "I agree with them, I was always that kid who would be mischievous. I enjoyed going to school as well. Having said that, like every other kid, I have also fooled my way out of attending school," he recalled, adding, "I have very fond memories of my childhood. I was also punished rather frequently."

The couple revealed that their parents had chosen them for each other. However, the understanding came with time and they began conversing. "We are distant cousins, we knew each other and we had seen each other and were aware of the obvious age difference," he shared. The host went on to add that she had also heard how the president would pen letters to his better half. "I believe that happened after the wedding, and not before it," he shared. "We never had the chance to exchange letters before marriage since we were both in Karachi," Samina went on.

Talking about preferences when it comes to wardrobe, the first lady revealed that is the only thing the couple usually disagrees on. "I have my own choice," she said, laughing. "And I follow suit," the president added.

"There are times when she objects to what I would wear and I'd ask her if I had ever criticised what she wore?" Does she end up dictating your wardrobe then? "Oh no," Samina shook her head. "She tries her best," the president added. "We've been married for almost 50 years. It's been 48 years already and I have never asked her to change the way she dresses." To which Samina responded, "That's because I always dress well."

As far as children are concerned, the couple revealed that they were groomed by Samina while the president looked after their studies. "It was from grade 9 to grade 12 that I taught them," President Alvi shared, "Samina was the one who groomed them otherwise."

"It was a big task to help our son with the studies," the first lady remarked. The host then commented on how sons are considered to be difficult to raise as compared to daughters. "I think because sons are the troublemakers," Samina chuckled, "The daughters, on the other hand, are timider. They listen to whatever you tell them."

"We tried to make our children understand the importance of education to a point that the only thing they thought about was education. That wasn’t what we wanted so we started focusing on other aspects as well. Even after our daughters were married, all they could think about was studying. I told them there was more to life than studying, raise your kids," said the president.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.