I was never a PTI member, nor do I plan to be one: Reham

Former wife of PTI chairman says she never intended to enter politics and never paid attention to party's ideology


Web Desk November 20, 2015

Broadcast journalist Reham Khan on Thursday clarified she was never a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, while also surprisingly claiming that she never paid much attention to the party's ideology -- a party she campaigned for during by-elections.

“No Pakistani woman can think of doing such a thing,” Reham said, when asked if it is true she divorced Imran after he refused to let her enter politics.

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In an interview to BBC Asian Network, the mother of three said, “I supported Imran in politics because he was a part of my family. If he did something else, I would’ve supported him then as well and Khan had no objection to it.”

“I could not enter politics,” she further continued, citing her dual national status.

Delving into details on how rumours regarding her penchant for politics spread, Reham said, “Back in August when people started bringing up this matter and a few emailed Imran, I told him I can write it down for him on stamp paper to show to everyone that I don’t want to enter politics.”

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Claiming she only wanted Imran to be successful, the 42-year-old said for her success is achieved when someone does something big for Pakistan. “For me, success isn’t becoming the prime minister,” she said.

“I never intended to do politics then and don’t plan on now,” she clarified.

“Even if I wasn’t a dual national, I wouldn’t have entered politics because it cannot solve Pakistan’s problems,” Reham elaborated.

Further, the broadcast journalist said, “I was never a member of the PTI nor do I plan to join.”

When asked whether she agreed with PTI’s ideology, Reham responded, “I never really paid attention to their ideology.”

Reham spills the beans on divorce with Imran Khan

Responding to whether she sees the party being successful, she said, “I can only wish them the best but I am not a member. The way things are going, I pray that good people are with Khan Sb who want to work for Pakistan,” she added.

Reham also spoke about the stigma associated with divorce within South-Asian culture.

Claiming that there is a smear campaign against her, she said, "My innocent children, they had nothing to do with this, and people have taken liberty to talk about them. There is a smear campaign, there is social media attacking them."

"And this has been happening for over ten months. This was happening during the marriage as well, and we watched it silently because I was in a position where it was very difficult to then engage in a war of words," she added.

Reham and Imran’s split has been making headlines ever since they announced their decision on October 30.

Reham used me ‘like toilet paper to clean up her image’: former husband

Since the start of their marriage, Reham made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Soon after the couple married, Reham’s ex-husband, NHS psychiatrist Dr Ijaz Rehman strongly denied allegations he had mistreated her during their marriage. Further, Dr Rehman claimed she used him “like toilet paper to clean up her image” after she found herself harshly criticised by traditionalists in Pakistan who saw Imran’s bride as far too Westernised.

Reham used me ‘like toilet paper to clean up her image’: former husband

Even after their divorce, Reham has made headlines for poisoning Imran, demanding financial settlements and even the unfair treatment of Imran’s dogs (yes, dogs).

On Sunday, in her first interview after the high-profile split with Imran, Reham said she was a victim of a witch hunt in Pakistan.

Claiming that she has been the victim of a “witch-hunt”, Reham said her marriage to the cricketer-turned-politician has been an example of “here is a woman”, let’s “demonise her”, “vilify her” and “burn her at the stake”.

This article originally appeared on BBC Urdu.

COMMENTS (15)

Azhar | 8 years ago | Reply Dearest Bhsbi, you still live in our heart with the same respect we offored you after your wedding with Imran Khan. When took place between you both and the divirce does not matter. What matter is our due respect for you.
sonny | 8 years ago | Reply @Alter Ego: Sorry Mr.Alter Ego what is wrong with Bollywood films? Get with the times not living in the dark ages.
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