‘Ayesha’s claims have no standing in Pak’

Reiterating Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik’s claim, his brother-in-law Imran Malik on Tuesday said Shoaib’s upcoming marriage with Sania Mirza would be his first, reports Sumit Saxena. See special

Reiterating Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik’s claim, his brother-in-law Imran Malik on Tuesday said Shoaib’s upcoming marriage with Sania Mirza would be his first.

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“Ayesha’s (Siddiqui) allegations of having married Shoaib has no standing in Pakistan,” Imran said, while addressing a press conference.

He said Shoaib committed a blunder by signing the nikahnama (marriage certificate), but he did not go any further, and there was no legal nikah (marriage) between the two.

“Mere existence of nikahnama is not sufficient to establish the marriage. The nikahnama is still in possession of Ayesha’s family,” said Imran.

Asked about any change in marriage date, as an FIR has been registered against Shoaib, Imran said the date was fixed and soon the cricketer’s family would visit India.

Imran also declared that Shoaib’s wedlock with Sania was his “first marriage”.

But, what about divorcing Ayesha? “Shoaib never in public declared Ayesha as his wife, neither did he introduce her to anybody. Shoaib’s family .. including me have met Ayesha just as a friend,” Imran said.

When asked about Pakistani government assurance in Shoaib’s matter, Imran said they had invited officials from Pakistan High Commission in India for the marriage.

And how do they plan to defend Shoaib, whose passport and mobile have been seized by Hyderabad police? Imran said a representation has been submitted to the Police Commissioner in Hyderabad seeking a release of Shoaib’s passport.

“We are not moving an anticipatory bail application, as we are assured that Shoaib would not be arrested. Let law take its course” said Ramesh Gupta, a Delhi based lawyer, who has been approached by Malik’s family.

Imran said Ayesha’s family has constructed a false theory.