Imran Khan's party denies reports of his third marriage

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday claimed the reports of party chief cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's third marriage to be false.

Media reports had earlier suggested that opposition leader Khan is said to have tied the knot for the third time with a woman he used to visit for spiritual guidance.

Official Statement issued by Chairman Secretariat. pic.twitter.com/29p2VJu20u — PTI (@PTIofficial) January 7, 2018

"To set the record straight, Mr Khan proposed marriage to Ms Bushra Maneka; but Ms Maneka asked for time to make a final decision after consulting her family, including her children," the PTI tweeted.

"If and when the proposal is accepted by Ms Maneka for the marriage, Mr Khan will announce it publicly in the proper manner. Till then we request the media to give the two families, especially the children, their privacy," the tweet added.

He reportedly tied the knot on the night of January 1 in Lahore and next day went straight from there to appear before the anti-terrorism court in Islamabad that granted him bail.

The 'nikah' was performed by Mufti Saeed, a member of the party's core committee, a media report claimed.

The report said the wedding ceremony took place in Lahore at the residence of a close confidante of the bride who also happens to be a friend of the leader.

The daily claimed that the bride filed for the dissolution of her marriage with a government servant some months back.

Khan's political secretary Awn Chaudry and his party's spokesman Naeem Ul Haq categorically denied the reports.

"Ridiculous! When SC (Supreme Court) deprives IK's detractors from doing accusatory stories of corruption, they create stories of his "marriage"! Somewhat pathetic too!? tweeted Khan's party leader Shireen Mazari.

Khan had first tied the knot with Jemima Goldsmith on May 16, 1995 that ended in divorce after nine years on June 22, 2004. His second marriage was with Reham Khan, then a TV anchor, which continued barely 10 months.

(With PTI inputs)