13 reasons why Pakistan loves Reham

Published April 15, 2015
Reham will go to every length to 'stand by her man' — whether this means taking on Altaf Hussain or praising her hubby's craggy looks. — Photo (L) by Belal Khan
Reham will go to every length to 'stand by her man' — whether this means taking on Altaf Hussain or praising her hubby's craggy looks. — Photo (L) by Belal Khan

From the very day Imran Khan announced in one of his dharna speeches that he wanted to end his protest so he could get married, everyone began speculating about who this future Mrs Khan could be.

There was Meera, who kept throwing hints the PTI Chairperson's way — and then there was the strikingly beautiful Reham Khan, who hosted a political talk show. Reham seemed a more likely contender.

Finally on January 8, 2015, the ultimate marital union took place. Imran Khan and Reham Khan wed at Banni Gala in what was a low-key but much-talked about affair.

Even so, she had some hurdles to overcome, like gasp, her past. As news of the happy couple's union broke people speculated about her former marriage, threw shade on her BBC career and wondered how she would adapt to life as invincible Imran's wife. Perhaps she would inevitably go Jemima's way and retreat from public life...

Could she ever make the Pakistani public love her?

So far, the answer to this question seems to be yes.

Here are all the ways Reham's managed to work her way into the average Pakistani heart, good or bad — a heart equally full of jazba, patriotism, hospitality, double standards, expectations, and lots and lots of good old fashioned desi judgement.

1. If there's one thing Pakistanis love it's a 'good wife' and Reham definitely ticks that box. She's proved herself an unflinching supporter of Imran, and will go to every length to 'stand by her man' — whether this means taking on Altaf Hussain or praising her hubby's craggy looks.

She even creates IK themed hashtags, so we know it's true love:

And she's such a romantic!

2. Reham's adopted the national dress whole-heartedly and made it her own. Seldom seen in the public eye now without a dupatta delicately balanced on her head, Reham's sure to get the approval of your average Pakistani voter.

3. Even though she navigates high-stakes politics she still finds time to be a girly girl, and don't we all love our typically feminine women?

4. Plus point: she loves kids.

5. Just like Pakistanis have a sweet-tooth and can eat mithai and desserts all day, Reham loves sweets and tells the world when she eats them:

6. She worries about bijli and has internet woes too — just like us!

7. Adopting the unflinching national attitude, Reham invokes a higher power:

8. However, she's fiesty enough to provide fodder for the controversy-loving media and all those who are hooked to the drama of Pakistani politics, and tells it like it is:

9. Reham loves cricket just like any other person who bleeds green:

10. She is actually funny and doesn't mind laughing at herself. When was the last time we actually heard a good joke (literally speaking) from Imran? Thanks to Reham there are chances that her humour might help Imran lighten up:

11. She's definitely a family person, and which Pakistani wouldn't endorse that?

12. She's the poster child for marital bliss — Imran and Reham do everything together, including reading the newspaper!

13. And the last reason why we predict Reham will always win hearts — she's savvy and understands what voters want. She gets her appeal, understands her power, knows how to use the media, flaunts her new role as Pakistan's bhabi and isn't afraid to use it to her advantage.

Isn't Imran a lucky guy?

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