Imran Khan and his wife Reham Khan pray during their wedding ceremony. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Friday thanked everyone who congratulated him on his wedding, saying he had not expected such an overwhelming public reaction to his wedding.
Addressing the media after attending his valima lunch with students at a local seminary, Khan said that he was not planning on getting married before the January 20, 2015, but the rumours circulating about Reham Khan in newspapers compelled him to do so. He added that he spoke to his sons before he decided to marry.
The couple visited Mufti Syed’s seminary upon his suggestion to have their valima lunch with the students at the seminary. The Mufti, who conducted the couple’s Nikkah yesterday, heads the Darul Uloom al Nadwa seminary.
Two of Reham Khan’s children from her first marriage, her sister and nephew, PTI leader Arif Alvi, and one of the witnesses to Imran and Reham’s nikkah, Aun Chaudhry, accompanied the newly wed couple for lunch along with a group of party supporters.
Earlier, the PTI chief was seen driving to the seminary himself from his Bani Gala residence with his wife on his side. The PTI chief also sent meals for students at the SOS Children's Village and another orphanage.
"I would have had a simple wedding anyway, but after the Peshawar incident there was no question of a major celebration," the PTI chief added.
Imran Khan asked people who wanted to send him gifts on his wedding to instead send donations to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital being built in Pesahwar. "It is very important for Pakistan that Peshawar's Shaukat Khanum Hospital be completed this year."
A crowd had earlier gathered outside Imran Khan's residence to greet the PTI cheif, and had followed the couple to the seminary.
COMMENTS (25)
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so when he asked the umpire in his roaring accent to raise the finger, so that he could marry..... after all its all true. not an inch left in me to trust this guy!
I am beginning to like IK and PTI. PMLN is just a bunch of useless jokers
@Ch. Allah Daad:
For once, I happen to agree with you. Imran's rush rush wedding and that too so soon after Pakistan's 9/11 is not only distasteful, but disgustingly hurtful to all those poor families who are still recovering after the massacre which happened on HIS watch! Imran's valima PR stunt to bring back disenchanted followers has fallen flat on its face.
To think that I looked upto Imran. He has let the people down! The massacre in Peshawar happened on HIS watch, the dead have barely been shrouded and buried, some still clinging onto dear life and the Taliban sympathiser gets married!
He’s had more success chasing women from London to new York than he’s had in the political field!
I think we can safely assume that this has-been cricketer and now has-been politician has given up on a NYAA Pakistan.
cynic trolls could easily be detected from their commenting, need not to explain venom on explanded space
@Real Truth: Not everyone can throw lavish dinners like nawaz, the nahari king of raiwind!!
@Real Truth: Hmmm...any links for those reports in the press that reham khan leaked that news? Or is coming from pmln propoganda cell? Please do tell.
Please, what has chehlum and a month etc got to do with anyone s death? One never forgets, but mourning islamically is allowed for three days only. Nikah is not a crime, nikah to karbala mein bhi hua tha. The media did create a lot of unnecessary hype though.
@imran ghori: This stuff (like Valima w/Madrassah students, etc.) is all FACADE and PR stunt; only gullible people can fall for this drama. As for IK's statement that he was not planning on getting married before Jan 20, 2015, but "the rumours circulating about Reham Khan in newspapers compelled him to do so", perhaps not true! In fact, there are reports in the press that it was actually Reham Khan herself who broke the news to British media, on the condition that they would not divulge her name! And given IK's colourful past, this all sounds plausible! All signs point to the fact that this romance had actually started right in the middle of Dharna, and IK probably wanted to continue like that without making a commitment! Reham Khan perhaps saw through IK, and DID NOT want to trust the guy, so decided to exert whatever pressure she could to get him to go for a formal wedding!
Marriage is his personal matter. But he should not have first tried to hide and then come up and accept it. If he is not brave to accept a truth then how can he claim himself to be truthful and honest person.? he has lost his credibility forever. Marrying someone is not crime but why to hide it? then what was the hurry to marry? finally I now understand why Imran used to say during dharna we will celebrate "jashn manaiyain gay" he was so happy in those days and he made all dharna goers to celebrate daily...!!!
He could not wait since it was too difficult? So many mothers are waiting even though they know their 132 sons are not coming back. What about the lives wasted in dharnas? When IK was having fun in container and bani gala, may be planning his marriage with his spouse to be reham? Then he calls of dharnas so he decides may be now he shall wear a sherwani and have some cekebration. The man could not take his family on board, he lacks the capability to run a provincial government, God forbid if he becomes the prime minister, then PM and first lady would be doing TANGO dance only. Congrats ppl we have found niya pakistan.
Waooo impressed from simplicity of imran khan... selecting simple wife,, living in simple house, wearing simple dresses, driving simple car, flying in simple helicopter
This man is a fraud if you ask me. Why could he not await another 10 days for the wedding, Has he forgotten the massacre of school children in peshawar?? Let 1 month pass at least!! I think politically he is finished. People can say what they want on here but if those children belonged to you and a leading politican gets married before 1month passing. You will never vote for him! He is a selfish person who always thinks of himself.
@Haider: I completely agree with you. IK is the role model. His simplicity touched us all. Many many congratulations to both IK and Reham Khan. Pakistan Zindabad
@Haider: I am afraid the followers of PTI like you will someday declare him as the Imam Mehdi of the Islamic world. ?. You remind me of one PTI woman supporter who was telling me that the weather of Islamabad is nice because Imran lives here and Allah showers his blessing on Imran Khan and consequently residents of Islamabad benefit from it as well. He is an Angel, Demigod, A perfect role model, A real democrat, a perfect immaculate leader, second to none and peerless to say the least. In neighboring India people worship static Gods while in Pakistan we worship Human beings but i dont see any difference in both of these.
First of all i pray for both imran khan and reham khan for their evetlasting peace ,happiness and harmony..imran khan is not only a great man but a trend setter too..really appreciate step for simple nikah..poor should always be taken much care at every social step..may we see all sicial justice in naya pakistan soon..again many congrats to newly married couple
IK you are the role model...With your move of simple wedding will Insha Allah end extragavant and over the top luxurious weddings.......Pakistan need to unite against Terrorism,Poverty,Extremism,Corruption and of course Rigging as well.Its Now or Never
Good gesture. Appreciated. Others should follow suit. Stop these baraats and walima's and have a simple ceremony in a Mosque. Distribute food among poor.
Really admire your simplicity regarding your Walima. You have done great Mr. Khan and best of the best wishes to you and your extended family.
What ever people say, but you have made an example out of your Valima. Spending the great time with great children of Madrassa. A good example from which other people can learn.
For the Personality Worshipers it is absolutely alright that Imran is getting married right now but for me the timing of his marriage are a little odd. Imran could have postponed his wedding in its entirety for atleast three-four months. His party is heading a Province where an Operation is going on. IDPs are on the roads and these problems could be resolved or toned down before such decision.
Imran visits KP once in a month and most of the time he is just enjoying in Bani gala. I am afraid after the wedding he will not bother even once to visit KP in months. Also once Imran said that he will never lie to the public but in December Mr Alvi and his party members were denying any reports of the wedding and now we know that they were lying. Anyway still the integrity of Imran will remain intact as he is an Angel.
So minor celebrations are ok ? Look at their garish and obscenely rich dresses ! And he is the leader of the party that is ruling KPK, the capital of which is Peshawar.
Marriage is their right, we congratulate Imran and Reham but please don't utter a word about Peshawar tragedy. Such lame excuses pour salt on the victims of Peshawar tragedy.
God bless you. What a great son of the soil this man is.