Reham will neither contest elections on PTI ticket nor attend party events: Imran

PTI chairman expresses 'disgust' over 'attacks' on Reham after party lost NA-19, Haripur elections to PML-N

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan clarified early Tuesday morning that his wife, Reham Khan, will neither contest elections on a party ticket nor will attend any party gatherings.

Reham Khan will not contest elections on a PTI ticket.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 18, 2015

In a series of tweets, the PTI chairman expressed 'disgust' over attacks on Reham after the party lost NA-19, Haripur elections to a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate. "She only went to campaign there on insistence of the candidate," he defended.

I am appalled & disgusted by attacks on Reham after our loss in NA 19 elec. She only went to campaign there on insistence of the candidate.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 18, 2015

"For the record, Reham has only attended PTI functions at the constant insistence of PTI members, especially the women," he added.

For the record, Reham has only attended PTI functions at the constant insistence of PTI members, especially the women.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 18, 2015

Further, Imran said, "Reham Khan will hold no party position, no position in KP; nor will be given any official protocol."

Read: NA-19 by-polls: PML-N candidate emerges winner

Claiming that Reham "already has too much on her plate, especially working with street children," Imran said she will not attend any PTI function or event.

Reham Khan already has too much on her plate, esp working with street children. In future, she will not attend any PTI function/event.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 18, 2015

Despite this, Imran stressed his wife was 'politicised' and politicisation of women was one of the achievements of his sit-in held last year in the federal capital against the incumbent government.

However, Reham is politicised. One of the great achievements of our dharna was to make our women & youth politicised 1/2

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 18, 2015

2/2 Because only when people are politicised can they fight effectively for their rights & against injustice.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 18, 2015

The PTI chief also maintained that in NA-246 by-polls, he insisted Reham to visit Karachi and the constituency.

In NA 246 bye election, I insisted Reham come to Khi & visit NA 246. We wanted to challenge the fear factor & get women voters out to vote.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 18, 2015

Soon after Imran's tweets, Reham took to Twitter and said, "I have supported the PTI cause so far because it is something my husband has devoted his life too."

I have supported the PTI cause so far because it is something my husband has devoted his life too.

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 18, 2015

Further, she added she would have supported anything her husband put his heart and soul in.

I would have supported anything my husband had put his heart & soul in. I see him work long hours alone for the the future of the nation.

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 18, 2015

The PTI chairman's wife also said that she has the same goal as her husband to see Pakistan prosper. "He pursues it via a political party and I work voluntarily for educating our children," she said.

Khan & I have the same goal to see Pakistan prosper. He pursues it via a political party & I work voluntarily for educating our children.

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 18, 2015

"I repeatedly said every time I was asked that I am not interested in contesting as those who do, haven't made Pakistan any better," she added.

I repeatedly said every time I was asked that I am not interested in contesting as those who do haven't made Pakistan any better.

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 18, 2015

"I had declined invitations for candidacy from political parties long before getting married to IK," she continued.

I had declined invitations for candidacy from political parties long before getting married to IK.

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 18, 2015

I have supported others but have never sought the support of others to achieve anything in life.

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 18, 2015

Later in the day, Reham tweeted saying that she would not be attending the party’s events she was invited to.

Sincere apologies to all the PTI related events I was invited to. I will not be attending any events linked to PTI anymore.

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 18, 2015

Reham had officially grabbed the driving seat for PTI in NA-19, Haripur and had been actively campaigning for the party during the by-polls. Earlier, Imranand his wife had denied rumours over the latter’s plans to enter the political arena. However, recent developments contradicted these claims. Reham addressed the political meetings in Hindko, Pashto and Urdu and urged locals to vote for Zaman.

Read: Reham Khan seizes the steering wheel

However, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Babar Nawaz emerged as the clear winner in the by-election, securing a little less than double the votes that his closest rival had, unofficial results showed on Sunday.