Imran Not to Re-Marry?
Pakistan Times Special Report

Pakistan's former Captain of the national Cricket team and now a top politician Imran Khan has reacted angrily to a London-based daily's report about his future plans on the marital topic.

Taking strong exception to the Telegraph's report that he had visited a palmist to find about his future, and that he would definitely get married by next year, Imran said; 'the report was distorted and insensitive.'

"The story in the Telegraph contains references and quotes from me which are distorted to the point of concoction, particularly regarding my future plans. I categorically deny the statements and take strong exception to highly insensitive remarks attributed to me,” a section of the Pakistan press quoted him as saying.

Rumours

Rumours surrounding Imran's fresh marital plans surfaced just days after he divorced his English-born wife Jemima, the mother of his two sons.

Imran and Jemima reached an amicable settlement to go their separate ways on June-23. The separation was blamed on a culture clash and also a cause of Imran's hefty political assignments, which came in for not moving out of Pakistan.

Jemima, the daughter of the late Jewish billionaire, Sir James Goldsmith, had shifted to London seven months ago.

Report of Sunday Telegraph

A report, attributed to Pakistan's apex Cricket Star-turned-politician, which was carried by 'Sunday Telegraph' had said; "Barely a fortnight after announcing the break-up of his marriage with Jemima Goldsmith, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has stated his intention to marry again, possibly by next year.

"I am already thinking about looking for a second wife. It doesn't look possible this year but I'll see if I'm able to find someone by my next birthday."

The British newspaper phrased Khan's "split with Jemima after nine years of marriage as tragic".

"She [Jemima] did everything, but sometimes you do things and do not succeed," 'Sunday Telegraph' quoted the Khan as saying by adding "admitting that his passion for Pakistani politics and deepening commitment to public life might have made it more difficult for Jemima to settle down."

"Maybe, if I had been doing something else, or had more time to travel in England or everywhere, it would have been different. But as I said, it all was just very difficult. So that's all and it is very tragic," the report said.

A Difficult Decision

As the British paper says; "Imran also said the decision to part way with Jemima was not an easy one."

"Splitting up is something that has a huge impact on your life. Especially because of the children, it is not easy at all. Well, the whole family split, you see. It is a big decision and it is not an easy decision at all."

Zest of Jemima

The 'Sunday Telegraph' report said; "Thirty-year-old Jemima, daughter of late billionaire and founder of the Referendum Party, James Goldsmith, traveled frequently during the couple's marriage between Islamabad and London. But in the past 18 months, in particular, much of her time was spent in London."

Imran Khan who won a World Health Organisation award last year for establishing a cancer hospital in Lahore, plans to set up another cancer hospital in the southern city of Karachi.

"One really cannot cope with cancer in Pakistan and we need to have more such centres across the country," he said.

"Other projects on hand include setting up a university in his home town of Mianwali in the Punjab province, from where he was elected as MP in October 2002, and achieving a great and grand political change", the 'Sunday Telegraph' remarked.●