ISLAMABAD: It’s official now. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chair­man Imran Khan wed TV journalist Reham Khan on Thursday, ending weeks of speculation about whether the 62-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was getting married for a second time.

Imran Khan tied the knot with Reham Khan at a simple ceremony at his Banni Gala residence. Mufti Saeed performed the Nikah in the presence of witnesses, said a terse statement released by PTI’s spokesperson Dr Shireen Mazari.

“No wedding or Valima receptions will be held. Tomorrow (Friday) food will be distributed among poor children. Imran Khan has asked workers of his party and the media to respect his privacy,” she added.

Soon after TV channels broke the news of the wedding early afternoon, PTI workers started gathering at the main gate of Mr Khan’s palatial residence. Some of them celebrated the occasion by dancing to PTI songs.

After performing the Nikah, Mufti Saeed briefly spoke to journalists waiting outside the residence and said: “I’ve been asked by Imran Khan to formally announce his marriage. A dower (Haqmehar) of Rs100,000 has been decided between the two.”

However, he sidestepped repeated questions if the Nikah was actually performed on Thursday. His only answer was, “I’m only here to say he’s (Imran Khan) married now.”

Despite formal announcement of marriage on Thursday, there were still rumours that the two had actually tied the knot some time back.

On his way to Banni Gala, PTI chief’s personal staff officer Naeemul Haq told the media that because of the Peshawar school tragedy it had been decided to keep the ceremony a low-key affair and on Friday food would be distributed among the destitute. He said close family friends had attended the wedding ceremony.

However, only members of Ms Reham’s family were seen in the official pictures released to the media about the ceremony.

Imran Khan is the father of two sons from his previous marriage to Jemima Khan.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2015

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