Imran's marriage is a personal matter, says Khursheed Shah

E-Paper | October 11, 2026

Imran's marriage is a personal matter, says Khursheed Shah

Dawn.com Published January 7, 2015

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said on Wednesday that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chariman Imran Khan's alleged marriage to DawnNews anchor Reham Khan is his personal matter, adding that he should not be questioned on the subject.

Days after the British press broke the news of Imran Khan's alleged marriage to broadcast journalist Reham Khan, the former cricketer had hinted yesterday that an official announcement is in the offing."Marriage is not a crime,” Imran had said at a press conference in Islamabad after his return from London.

A report published in DailyMail had said that Imran Khan confirmed that he had secretly married former BBC weather girl Reham Khan days after his family said he had denied it.

Speaking to media representatives in Islamabad today, opposition leader Shah also said that Imran supported the establishment of military courts more than any other political leader.

The Parliament on Tuesday adopted the 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 aimed to set up constitutionally protected military courts to try civilian terrorism suspects.

In response to a question, Shah said that parliamentarians from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would not table a resolution in the National Assembly over the non-participation of the PTI in Parliament sessions.

Shah said that he had asked the government to include another party for talks with the PTI, adding that the PPP would nominate one of its candidates for the dialogue process. This, he said, would clarify as to who is sincere when it comes to holding negotiations.

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aarukhbe

Jan 07, 2015 04:49pm

Thank you! Yes it is his personal life and as the saying goes : Don't mix your personal life with your professional life.

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jay patel

Jan 07, 2015 04:50pm

Even by saying its personal matter, this gentleman makes it a public story. LOL.

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Ammar

Jan 07, 2015 05:25pm

Why is DAWN referring to Reham Khan (a DAWN employee) as 'former BBC weather girl'? She quit that job in 2012 and has been active in Pak new scene since. Isn't she working for DAWN News now?

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FerozQ

Jan 07, 2015 05:43pm

Not OK to marry someone one's daughter's age. Why couldn't he find someone closer in age?

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jan 07, 2015 05:59pm

@Ammar Yes she is working for Dawn News for quite sometime now I believe. IK's marriage is completely his personal matter, I understand but politicians are said to be public properties. I personally think IK could have done better. No disrespect to Reham Khan. This is just my opinion. If this news is true. All the best to IK and Reham Kham.

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Ahmed USA

Jan 07, 2015 06:06pm

Well not exactly Mr. Shah...she has been all too active in advancing "Imran's political agenda" in her recent "political" talk shows...watch most recent one with Mr. Musharraf on December 18th 2014...would have been better if she would have chosen to distance herself from Imran's political career...or shown decency to inform upfront unsuspecting guests on her shows of her secret relationship with their political adversary i.e. Imran...

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Karimi

Jan 07, 2015 06:10pm

@FerozQ Please mind your own business ..will ya

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Dr. Sadaf

Jan 07, 2015 06:22pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan , yes he could have done better in terms of choosing a better person and appropriate time of revealing his secret marriage. He is someone who makes wrong decisions at the right time.

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Azam Khan

Jan 07, 2015 06:33pm

Most probably for the first time in his political life he has given a sane statement for Imran Khan.

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Faraz

Jan 07, 2015 06:36pm

It is his personel matter and choice of life partner whether we like it or not.let him give some space for his personel life.

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Bonkers

Jan 07, 2015 06:42pm

No, it is not a personal matter. I really do not get the way of thinking of the Pakistanis. He is a National Leader or so he claims to be. There is no such thing as his personal life. Every decision he makes personal or public is a reflection of how he precives the world around him. Anyone who has spent time in UK knows that Reham Khan has a very chequered past to say the least. For IK to go forward with a woman like her is a bad judgement call. He is completely out of control and doesn't make rational decisions in life. I dread the days if he ever comes into power and demonstrate this kind of belligerence in affairs of the country.

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Key Points

Jan 07, 2015 07:01pm

Wonder if any one asked for his opinion?

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say no to noonie

Jan 07, 2015 07:03pm

she is 41 mother of three and is not forced to marriage

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Zeenat

Jan 07, 2015 07:08pm

But the matter of becoming super rich (from meter reader to millionare) in few years is not a personal matter.

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GKBaloch

Jan 07, 2015 07:19pm

@Bonkers - You truly are a bonkers, a fervent reader of gossip tabloids.

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OmarFL

Jan 07, 2015 07:29pm

"Alleged" marriage. As if he did a crime. This is typical Pakistani culture. Intrude in everybody's personal affairs.

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GKBaloch

Jan 07, 2015 07:53pm

So IK's marriage has become a national issue !

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Khan-Haqiqi

Jan 07, 2015 08:15pm

I agree that its Imran Khan personal matter but when Imran khan stand atop a container and indulge in minus slinging on other isn't its others personal matter? Secondly why he has hidden this matter? Is there any shameful act involved? Pakistan deserve leader like Nawaz, Zardari or Imran who are corrupt either financially or morally as they are the product of our society, just take a look at the moral values of society and one will understand

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Khan-Haqiqi

Jan 07, 2015 08:17pm

@Bonkers what do you mean by Reham Khan chequered past isn't Imran has the same remember Seeta White.....

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Guest65

Jan 07, 2015 08:19pm

@FerozQ , Sir , mind your own business , mind your words , mind your thoughts before you put them into a writing specially on a forum like this . Marriage is a Pure personal matter ( ethically , religiously , morally , humanely ) . It is a moral contraact between two conforming Adults and as long as both are in that catagory of Adulthood ( enforced within the country they are are living in ) and both persons are happy and agree to it and agree to the mutual terms and conditions which is their religious and moral right to do ( not families , not grand families , not friends , not foes , not well wishers , not critics like you ... ITS NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS I.E THESE GROUPS I MENTIONED ) , so stuff your medeaval idea of Age diffeerence as the sole criteria . o'h yes , if he was marrying an under age girl ( not an adult as per the set rules and regulations in the country ) then perhaps your view point had a merit ..... I wonder , you must have questioned too his 1st marriage (when he married the girl . jamema almost half of his age then .... 20+ vis his 42+ ????)

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Parvez

Jan 07, 2015 10:42pm

Completely agree.

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SRehman

Jan 07, 2015 11:21pm

@Dr. Sadaf Revealing his secret marriage? That's funny.

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Not.Khaki anda

Jan 07, 2015 11:21pm

I.K will come out after a time of period to say "DHAND LI HO GA E. Let us go for another Dharna! May be he will not find a umpire!! I.K I hope this time you will not jump the wall.

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Zak

Jan 07, 2015 11:31pm

IK we wish you and your chosen bride the best. No one should question IK personal life, because if most politicians personal life is questioned, they would leave office on shame.

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Shahpur

Jan 07, 2015 11:48pm

If the Press had looked deep into, Benazir - Zardari marriage, there would have been no President Zardari today. You can argue that it was matter of urgency for Benazir to get married to any one and so on, but you can not forget the consequences. So this is not a personal matter of Imran Khan and the Lady. Press and Media should look into this marriage and report.

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Jan 08, 2015 12:40am

There is no personal lives for public leaders. The decisions they make in their private lives reflect their individual character. A man of no character is not qualified to serve. Khurshid Shah and the like are hiding their personal lives and that is why they want no questions to be asked so they can be immune to Public scrutiny

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Jan 08, 2015 12:46am

@Guest65 :IK has now proven that he is the king of bad judgments. We cannot trust him as a public leader. Personal decisions reflect personal character which is the most important element for one to be able to serve in a public position

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Thoroughthinker

Jan 08, 2015 12:47am

So was the case of AAZ's marriage to Daughter of the East ! Is it still a personal matter of the Shaheed BiBi after her ?

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abp

Jan 08, 2015 12:58am

Good for Khursheed Shah- he has shown grace by not getting involved in personal matters.

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Thoroughthinker

Jan 08, 2015 01:01am

Imran Khan is a public property and his marriage at this juncture cannot be isolated from public ! What is going to be the charm left for his female folk who were the main driving force in the success of his Dharnas ?

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MAlvi

Jan 08, 2015 02:09am

His marriage is a man's's personal matter. No one should try to criticize criticism Imran or his wife. It is also true that Imran Khan is not an ordinary person - he is a celebrity. He is a national hero, loved by millions. There is no other politician quite like him in Pakistan. People want to take part in his celebrations. It is a moment of joy for people. I congratulate Imran for the best selection of his life partner. Let us all wish the couple all the happiness in their new life. I can't wait to see the wedding celebrations, on TV in USA.

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Range Rover

Jan 08, 2015 02:13am

That´s how parliamentarians should speak. Mr. Khan and other PTI leaders must learn!

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Shehz

Jan 08, 2015 03:01am

It not whom or when he marries, sure that's a personal matter; it's more why is he a compulsive liar? Marries Jemima in May in Paris, lies about it, then marries her again in June in London. Splits with Jemima, refutes it, then announces that they are divorced. Refutes Sita White's daughter as his, daughter is adopted by Jemima as his, and then he runs away from the DNA test. Marries Reham, denies it later, then admits it. He is a habitual liar. If media did not corner him he would continue to lie. If there is no need to lie, then why does he lie so compulsively?

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shabut

Jan 08, 2015 03:30am

@FerozQ: and under what authority you have given this Fatwa? Let's stop judging for one second.

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Aliza Khan

Jan 08, 2015 03:40am

@Bonkers I echo your thoughts

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Tarzan

Jan 08, 2015 03:57am

@Shahpur Point well made!

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Shahid

Jan 08, 2015 04:03am

LOL @ IK supported the military courts more than us. These PPP folks never miss any opportunity to further the pro-Army and/or pro-Taliban myths that they have so carefully nurtured over the years. The truth is, PTI was one of the 3 parties with reservations about military courts, and IK had only voiced his support for them during the Peshawar APC once a near-consensus had formed on this issue. Presumably, IK did not want to rock the boat and create hurdles in an effective anti-terrorism plan, much like he wanted to let govt focus on this issue by calling off his record-breaking dharna.

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Abbas

Jan 08, 2015 04:09am

Sounds good mature point, it is personal matter, was single from years and need wife. We all congratulate him for this and wish him good luck for future. Khan Saab please move vigilantly.

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SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT

Jan 08, 2015 09:45am

Best of luck Khan Sb. May your new bride brings good fortune, peace and blessings in your life. You are our hero !

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Aliza Khan

Jan 08, 2015 03:04pm

@AW you are absolutely correct..... You can not trust a "leader" who is such a poor judge of character.... how you conduct yourself in your personal life is a reflection of the type of public figure/ leader you are likely to be.

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noor ali

Jan 10, 2015 03:40am

Dharna took its toil people died during the movement and Pakistan’s economy was damaged. On top the death toll of children in Peshawar had shook the country to its core, great leaders are with the nation, and they do not marry at times when nation needs them the most. Khan is no leader just a celebrity- a sportsman. No one is angry with khan; nor are women jealous of Reham, they are just upset marriage is time of celebration and happiness, the nation was going through a sensitive time. Once a renowned anchor said khan is a 60 year old kid, he lacks wisdom now I think that anchor was right.

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