Imran, Reham mutually agree to divorce
The couple mutually decided to get a divorce after 10 months of marriage.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Reham Khan, have agreed to divorce after nearly few months of marriage, Dunya News reported.
The couple divorced with mutual consent after ten months of marriage, PTI spokesperson Naeemul Haq confirmed.
Talking to Dunya News, Naeem-ul Haq said the decision to divorce was very sensitive and serious issue.
When asked that why the news was revealed a day before the local government elections in Punjab and Sindh, the party spokesperson responded that Imran Khan has requested the media to avoid speculations on the issue.
To a question, he said they have divorced on a personal matter.
"She (Reham) wanted to get involved with politics and that is not what Khan wanted at all. She just did not want to sit at home," a private TV channel reported.
Soon after their marriage, some PTI leaders and supporters had expressed concern over her participation in party politics after which Imran Khan announced she would not contest polls or attend any party gatherings.
Soon after the news broke, Imran Khan stated that this is a painful time for him and Reham. He requested everyone to respect their privacy.
This is a painful time for me & Reham & our families. I would request everyone to respect our privacy.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 30, 2015
I have the greatest respect for Reham s moral character & her passion to work for & help the underprivileged.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 30, 2015
Meanwhile, Reham Khan posted a message on Twitter saying that they have filed for divorce.
We have decided to part ways and file for divorce.
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) October 30, 2015
At the time of their marriage, it was reported that the Haq Mehr was set at Rs100,000. However, according to media reports a Haq Mehr of Rs180 million will be paid to Reham.
Imran Khan refuted the reports regarding financial settlements.
Reports & speculation about financial settlements are absolutely false and shameful.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 30, 2015
Speculation about the marriage being on the rocks had swirled in the media for months, drawing angry denials from Khan on social media.
“I am shocked at a TV channel making a slanderous statement about my marriage. I strongly urge the media to desist from such baseless statements,” Khan said on Twitter after a media report in September said Reham was “not welcome at Bani Gala any longer”.
POLITICIANS REACT
Commenting on the divorce, PML-N leader and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said, “No woman can stay with Imran Khan.”
PPP leader Nisar Khuhro said, “If I was PPP Punjab leader, I would have immediately invited Reham Khan to join our party.”
PPP leader and Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza said, Iman Khan has lost second wicket and there is best chance of a hat-trick.
Imran khan ki 2nd wicket bihi out,best chance of HAT TRICK, cricketing life mein to na kur sakay Real life mein kuri lien
— Syeda Shehla Raza (@SyedaShehlaRaza) October 30, 2015
PTI leader Shireen Mazari lashed out at opposition politicians for their negative remarks.
We will not indulge in personal mud slinging of opp politicos despite their cheap shots coz we respect IK s request 4 privacy. BUT
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 30, 2015
BUT the Rana Sanaullahs & @SyedaShehlaRaza shd look to their own party mbrs/ldrs loves, lives & divorces be4 targeting IK s personal life!
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 30, 2015
On the other hand, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has directed all the party leaders and workers not to make any adverse comments on anybody’s personal matters.
“We are harbingers of our rich traditions and dignity. We represent every segment of society. We respect individual’s privacy. Hence we should not indulge in things, which don’t suit our morals and ethics,” he exhorted party leaders and workers.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also urged all the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders to refrain from commenting on Khan’s personal matters.
Imran Khan, who is 63 and the father of two sons from his previous marriage to British socialite Jemima Khan (nee Goldsmith), had tied the knot with TV journalist Reham on January 8 this year in a simple ceremony at Bani Gala.
Reham is host of a political talk show in Pakistan and was previously a BBC weather host. She is also a divorced mother of three.
Currently, she is in London to participate in a media conference.
