PESHAWAR: Wearing 250 tolas of gold on the streets of Peshawar is no mean feat, but 21-year-old Saleheen Khan does it with swag.

Saleheen Khan with his security detail. — Photo by author

Saleheen Khan is pictured wearing gold jewellery in this photo. — DawnNews screengrab

A resident of Landi Arbab, the wealthy Pashtun does not own a gold store nor does his family trade in the royal metal but he still covers himself in golden jewellery worth Rs11.5 million.

“Since my early childhood, I liked wearing jewellery," he recounts. However, with a limited allowance back then, he could not afford to be decked in gold ornaments, and instead wore artificial pieces.

"I started saving my pocket money, and bought a gold ring when I was in Class 3. Then I collected other items — such as rings, chains, necklaces and bracelets. Now I go to jewellers and give them customised orders."

He, however, admitted to facing some opposition from his family members over what they called his eccentric passion.

The enigmatic 21-year-old also said that he faces difficulties in purchasing gold jewellery as majority of the traders have designs only for women.

"In our society, gold jewellery is mostly worn by women; the trend of men wearing ornaments is not very common," he said.

Echoing his view, Saleheen's friend Javed Khan also says that it is uncommon for men to wear gold jewelry in their culture and society, adding that they are advised against adopting such a trend by their elders.

With eight gold rings on his fingers, a bracelet, a necklace, a chain with multiple folds and an iPhone cover made of gold, the young lad cuts quite a figure.

Saleheen divulges that he travels to Dubai to purchase most of his jewellery because "pieces available in Pakistan often have gold mixed with impure metals".

Saleheen Khan is pictured wearing gold jewellery. — Photo by the author

After completing his Intermediate, the 21-year-old quit his education and now reluctantly helps out his father with the family's lucrative marble business but envisions opening up a gold jewellery venture — which would enable him to pursue his passion.

Imran Hassan — a friend of Saleheen — is all praise for his comrade's style quotient, and calls it "a unique fashion".

No security concerns

Kidnappings for ransom and extortion activities may be on the rise in Peshawar but for Saleheen, there are no holds barred.

With a security detail — including four security guards and two sniffer dogs and his own personal pistol — Khan does not have any safety fears.

"I spend a considerable chunk of money on my personal security."

However, he is well-aware that the unabashed display of gold jewellery does cause a stir when he steps out of his house, and shares amid chuckles how onlookers often hoot at him, while students ask him for selfies.