ISLAMABAD: After being the subject of speculative media reports which linked her to former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, Tanvir Zamani on Monday clarified that rumours of her marriage with Zardari were "baseless", adding that Zardari was like a brother to her.

Talking to media personnel in a press conference called by her, Zamani claimed rumours of her relationship with Zardari were fueled to strain ties between Zardari and his son: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Zamani said she had married one Tehseen Javed in 1986 – a marriage she said was intact till today.

"These baseless rumours originated to create a rift between Bilawal and Zardari. Asif Zardari is my leader and brother," she said.

"I am a jiyali (PPP activist) and will remain one," she said, adding that she did not need a certificate for being a PPP activist from anyone.

Rumours of Zardari secretly marrying Zamani had been circulating on social media for years, with alleged pictures of the two also making rounds. Zamani has also recently appeared on several television talk shows in light of these rumours, where she chose not to speak on the matter.

Last week, for the first time ever, PPP through Zardaris' spokesman Farhatullah Babar, officially denied reports of the Zardari-Zamani marriage as "false."

The PPP statement had also gone on to say Tanvir Zamani was not in any way related to the party neither had she held any PPP office at any point in time.

Take a look: In a first, PPP denies rumours of Zardari-Zamani marriage.