Imran Khan, Reham divorce with mutual consent
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SAMMAR ABBAS — UPDATED LESS THAN A MINUTE AGO
The PTI chairman and television journalist Reham Khan had tied the knot in a simple nikkah ceremony which took place in January this year at Khan's Bani Gala residence. —Photo by Belal Khan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Reham Khan have divorced with mutual consent after 10 months of marriage, PTI spokesperson Naeemul Haq said Friday.
Six months in, rumours that the marriage was falling apart began to circulate. While the couple was seen together on occasion, Imran last month tweeted an apparent refutation of the rumours: "I am shocked at a TV channel making slanderous statement about my marriage. I strongly urge the media to desist from such baseless statements"
'Just not getting along'
A source close to the PTI chairman, who asked not to be named, said the two were "just not getting along."
"She wanted to get involved with politics and that is not what Khan wanted at all. She just did not want to sit at home," he said.
"There were teething problems as well over other issues which were being resolved but this was a major issue — she wanted to get into politics and was not ready to back down."
Haq told DawnNews that Imran Khan had requested the media to avoid speculation and respect the sensitivity of the situation.
A source close to the PTI chairman said the two were "just not getting along."
Another confidante of Imran Khan told Dawn.com that there was "a lot of pressure on Khan" from his family to divorce Reham, an apparent reference to Imran's sister Aleema Khan who had made no secret of her displeasure over the marriage.
Despite several attempts, Reham could not be reached for a comment. Sources said Reham has left Pakistan for London and is expected to address a press conference there.
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In August this year the PTI chief had announced that Reham Khan, will not be playing an active role in party affairs, following "attacks" on his then wife in the aftermath of the party's defeat in the NA-19 (Haripur) by-polls.
The PTI chairman and television journalist Reham Khan
had tied the knot in a simple nikkah ceremony which took place in January this year at Khan's Bani Gala residence.
The nikkah, which was a low-key affair, was conducted by Mufti Saeed and was followed by
a photo session. The wedding had captivated the entire country, with television channels going all out to cover the event and furnished their audience with details of wedding sherwani and chappals.
The marriage was marked by public appeara
The cricketer-turned-politician was previously married to English journalist and activist Jemima Goldsmith for nine years. The marriage ended amicably in 2004 with Goldsmith stating that she was unable to adapt to life in Pakistan.
Reham Khan was previously married to psychologist Ijaz Rehman, with whom she had three children.
