ISLAMABAD/HYDERABAD: Pakistan said on Monday it would fully back cricketer Shoaib Malik as he contests cheating charges by Ayesha Siddiqui, a
resident of Hyderabad in India, who claims to be his first wife and hasdemanded a divorce before he weds Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters that the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was in touch with the Indian authorities and had asked for details about the First Information Report (FIR) the Hyderabad police filed against Malik on Sunday following Ayesha's complaint.
"We will have to wait till the details of the FIR are with us," Basit added.
The Hyderabad police Monday seized Malik's passport after questioning him for nearly two hours at Sania Mirza's home on Ayesha's complaint.
Shoaib was unhappy that his passport had been seized and said he would complain to the Pakistan High Commission, police sources said. He was questioned at Sania's Jubilee Hills home.
Assistant Commissioner of Police R. Ravinder Reddy told reporters after the questioning that the case was under investigation but refused to answer any queries. Another team of police officials recorded Ayesha's statement at her residence in Banjara Hills. She handed over the 'nikahnama', or marriage document, which has been sent to the forensic laboratory to verify Shoaib's signature.
Police posed several questions to Ayesha and her parents regarding her complaint. She reportedly gave details of Shoaib's stay in Hyderabad during his visits after the marriage.
Shoaib, who landed in Hyderabad Friday, has been staying at Sania's house in preparation for their April 15 wedding. Since Ayesha's charges of cheating, dowry harassment and criminal intimidation are serious and non-bailable, the police Sunday night alerted all airports to prevent Shoaib from leaving India.
She alleged that Shoaib had offered her $1 million to keep mum about their marriage. She also stated that he threatened her to not speak to the media.
The FIR has been booked under sections 498 A (harassment), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Section 498 A also relates to cruelty against married women.
A senior police officer said they were also taking legal opinion on the complaint against Shoaib as it involved a foreigner and the crimes might have been committed by him abroad. The police may also have to take permission from the union home ministry before arresting Shoaib.
Shoaib had Sunday denied marrying Ayesha saying he signed a 'nikahnama' for marrying a girl whose photographs she had been sending him.
If you were Sania, would you marry Shoaib?
Sania Mirza is known for her strong two-handed backhand, but this time, she’s served up an ace. And this isn’t on the tennis court. Her announced marriage with the controversial offbreak bowler and former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, is a doosra deal altogether! It’s hardly been a few months — January 28, to be precise — since her family announced that they had called off her engagement to childhood buddy Sohrab Mirza. The decision was reported to be mutual, with Sania citing “incompatibility” as the reason for the split. Now it seems things are headed firmly down the aisle between Shoaib and Sania.
Despite the front page headlines he is grabbing in India and Pakistan for already being married and that, too, to an Indian girl from Hyderabad. Several questions are doing the rounds. Like, firstly, why is Sania Mirza, who is just 24, in such a tearing hurry to marry this man? It isn’t as if he is the most eligible bachelor around. And, it’s not even certain if he is a bachelor! Given the couple met and fell in love, yet why the rush to marry, why not wait for a couple of months until this grand parade of skeletons from Shoaib’s closet has ended? Or his divorce, if he is married, comes through? Second, Shoaib is no Imran Khan — the lionhearted Pathan was one of the world’s most eligible in his time, and a real bachelor until he got married at 43 — whereas Shoaib, at 28, is terribly immature as can be seen from the silly interviews he is giving about his alleged marriage and first wife Ayesha. So what’s Sania’s hurry? She can’t be so madly in love with Shoaib that she’s willing to overlook all these controversies and risk being the second wife of a man who, well, is painted both sides of the border as being something of a rat! Is it on the rebound? Or is it because Sania’s in the autumn of her tennis career, so to speak?
We put Shoaib’s case before several single Mumbai hotties and asked the question, “If you were Sania Mirza would you marry Shoaib Malik?” Shenaz Treasuryvala probably wouldn’t have made this move to matrimony, but on the flip side, she adds, “But then who knows what I’d do if I fell passionately, madly, hopelessly in love? It’s her personal decision, really, none of anybody’s business. As long as she keeps representing India how does it matter who she falls in love with and marries?”
Upcoming actress Sonal Chauhan doesn’t agree, she believes, “I think its ones personal call and depends on what transpires between two individuals.” But the bold and beautiful Neetu Chandra is all for it. “Of course! Why not?” she asks, and goes on to explain: “Sania and Shoaib are from sports backgrounds so their chemistry would be great. They both look beautiful together and the bottom line is if they like each other, there should not be any hassle.”
Payal Rohatgi feels that marriage would be awkward. “Sania is a star so obviously skeletons will emerge when she decides to marry. But I hope there is honesty between the couple as they have to live with each other.” Hyderabad girl Sherlyn Chopra has no problems about the idea of this kind of marriage, but gives it a different spin: “Everybody has a past. And everybody has the right to have a great future. If I were Sania and truly, madly and deeply in love with Shoaib, I would not have been judgmental about his past. However, if he has a wife already, common sense would suggest he terminate his first marriage legally and start a brand new chapter in his life.”
Nauheed Cyrusi is an idealist, and doesn’t know if she would have done the same. But says, “They’re obviously in love. And the sheer beauty of love is you don’t bring religion, countries in the way!” A view echoed by singer Anaida, who adds, “When it comes to marriage I think only the two people in love know how they feel. Maybe I’m an idealist but I dream of a world that’s one and cast, country and religion are no excuse for division.” Nethra Raghuraman would have done the same, marry him that is, because “Love does have no boundaries. I find it really endearing and adorable that their love surpasses geography. All I can see are two people, in love, deciding to embark on a journey together.”
Police question Shoaib Malik over plans to marry Sania Mirza
• 'First wife' makes allegations against Pakistan cricketer
• Malik gives statement to police about complaints
Shoaib Malik addresses the media outside his fiancee Sania Mirza's home before being questioned by police.
Indian police in Hyderabad have questioned the former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik about his planned marriage to India's highest-ever ranked female tennis player Sania Mirza over allegations made by a woman claiming to be the cricketer's first wife.
Malik has been asked not to leave India while police in Hyderabad investigate the charges, AK Khan, a senior police official, said this morning.
In her complaint, filed yesterday, Ayesha Siddique alleged that Malik married her in June 2002 and she accused him of subjecting her to cruelty and harassment by denying that the wedding took place and by trying to marry another woman.
Police visited the home of Mirza in Hyderabad, the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, where Malik is staying and took down a statement this morning, Stephan Ravindra, a deputy commissioner of police said.
Police are investigating complaints of criminal intimidation, cheating, fraud and harassment for dowry against the Pakistan cricketer, Ravindra said. Police also questioned the complainant, Siddique.
Malik and Siddique had reportedly developed a friendship on the internet.
Malik, who has been banned from representing Pakistan for a year because of reports of infighting within the team during the tour of Australia at the beginning of the year, said in a written statement on Sunday that he had married a girl named Ayesha over the telephone in June 2002 and signed a marriage certificate but he believed he had been deceived by another woman claiming to be Ayesha Siddique.
He arrived in Hyderabad, Mirza's hometown, from Pakistan last week to finalise arrangements for his wedding to the tennis player, which is scheduled to take place on 15 April. Mirza broke off a previous engagement earlier this year before announcing her plans to marry Malik.
The news of the Malik-Mirza wedding plans sparked blanket coverage on the subcontinent because of the longstanding tension between Pakistan and India.
Siddique claims to have a copy of "Nikahnama" or a marriage certificate issued by the Pakistan authorities in Malik's hometown Sialkot in June 2002. It carries the signature of Shoaib Malik as well as those of two witnesses.
Farooq Hasan, a lawyer representing Siddique in Pakistan, told reporters in Lahore that he will soon be filing case against Malik in Pakistan's civil and criminal courts.
"We will also try to stop Malik's marriage with Sania Mirza," Hasan said. "If the courts in Pakistan asked, Ayesha Siddique will also travel to Pakistan and appear before the courts.
"The courts in Pakistan will decide about the authentication of Nikahnama." Hasan said that he had received initial documents from the Siddique family and wouild file the case on the basis of that evidence.
• Malik gives statement to police about complaints
Shoaib Malik addresses the media outside his fiancee Sania Mirza's home before being questioned by police.
Indian police in Hyderabad have questioned the former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik about his planned marriage to India's highest-ever ranked female tennis player Sania Mirza over allegations made by a woman claiming to be the cricketer's first wife.
Malik has been asked not to leave India while police in Hyderabad investigate the charges, AK Khan, a senior police official, said this morning.
In her complaint, filed yesterday, Ayesha Siddique alleged that Malik married her in June 2002 and she accused him of subjecting her to cruelty and harassment by denying that the wedding took place and by trying to marry another woman.
Police visited the home of Mirza in Hyderabad, the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, where Malik is staying and took down a statement this morning, Stephan Ravindra, a deputy commissioner of police said.
Police are investigating complaints of criminal intimidation, cheating, fraud and harassment for dowry against the Pakistan cricketer, Ravindra said. Police also questioned the complainant, Siddique.
Malik and Siddique had reportedly developed a friendship on the internet.
Malik, who has been banned from representing Pakistan for a year because of reports of infighting within the team during the tour of Australia at the beginning of the year, said in a written statement on Sunday that he had married a girl named Ayesha over the telephone in June 2002 and signed a marriage certificate but he believed he had been deceived by another woman claiming to be Ayesha Siddique.
He arrived in Hyderabad, Mirza's hometown, from Pakistan last week to finalise arrangements for his wedding to the tennis player, which is scheduled to take place on 15 April. Mirza broke off a previous engagement earlier this year before announcing her plans to marry Malik.
The news of the Malik-Mirza wedding plans sparked blanket coverage on the subcontinent because of the longstanding tension between Pakistan and India.
Siddique claims to have a copy of "Nikahnama" or a marriage certificate issued by the Pakistan authorities in Malik's hometown Sialkot in June 2002. It carries the signature of Shoaib Malik as well as those of two witnesses.
Farooq Hasan, a lawyer representing Siddique in Pakistan, told reporters in Lahore that he will soon be filing case against Malik in Pakistan's civil and criminal courts.
"We will also try to stop Malik's marriage with Sania Mirza," Hasan said. "If the courts in Pakistan asked, Ayesha Siddique will also travel to Pakistan and appear before the courts.
"The courts in Pakistan will decide about the authentication of Nikahnama." Hasan said that he had received initial documents from the Siddique family and wouild file the case on the basis of that evidence.
Indian police question Shoaib Malik, seize passport
Shoaib Malik addresses the media outside Indian tennis player Sania Mirza's home in Hyderabad
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik was grilled on Monday by Indian police officials in Hyderabad Deccan.
Police interrogated Malik and reportedly seized his passport while he was visiting the house of his prospective wife Sania Mirza.
“The city police have questioned Shoaib Malik for one-and-a-half hours and they have also seized his passport. Immigration authorities have been informed about the case filed against Malik and his passport seizure,” Additional Commissioner of Dwarka Tirumala Rao was quoted as saying by Indian newspaper The Hindu.
Malik has been asked not to leave India while police in Hyderabad investigate the charges, senior police official A.K. Khan said.
In her complaint, filed Sunday, Ayesha Siddique alleged that Malik had married her in June 2002 and she accused him of subjecting her to cruelty and harassment by denying that the wedding took place and by trying to marry another woman.
Police interrogate Shoaib, seize his passport
Police on Monday seized the passport of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and asked him not to leave the country as they questioned him in the wake of a complaint of cheating lodged by the father of a local girl Ayesha Siddiqui claiming that she was married to him.
29-year-old Ayesha was also questioned by Hyderabad Police which is trying to verify authenticity of the 'nikahnama' cited by the Siddiqui family and that of the photo showing her along with 28-year-old Shoaib, a senior police officer said.
The case has been transferred to Central Crime Station, a wing of the city police, he said, adding that Shoaib has been asked not to leave the country.
Shoaib told a police team this morning at the Jubilee Hills residence of 23-year-old tennis star Sania Mirza that he had been tricked into marriage with Ayesha.
"The city police questioned Shoaib Malik for one-and-a-half hours and they have also seized his passport. Immigration authorities have been informed about the case filed against Malik and his passport seizure," Additional Commissioner of Police (Coordination) Dwarka Tirumala Rao said.
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Rao said, "As part of the investigation, a police team visited Sania's residence today. We are probing the matter."
The team reached this morning the posh Jubilee Hill residence of Sania where Shoaib has been staying since his arrival here on Saturday following a complaint lodged by the father of Ayesha, Mohammed Siddiqui yesterday at the Banjara Hill police station.
Sania and Shoaib are scheduled to get married here on April 15.
"We are trying to collect evidence. Shoaib is cooperating and Sania is supporting him. They say they know the truth behind the whole issue," a police official said after the team talked to the cricketer.
During questioning, Shoaib told the police that he had been "cheated" by the Siddiqui family and tricked into marriage, he said.
The Pakistani cricketer had yesterday claimed that he was emotionally forced into the 'nikahnama' with the Hyderabad girl but said the marriage was invalid as her family had cheated him and ruled out divorce.
He said to this day he has not met the girl whose photographs were sent to him by the Siddiqui family purported to be that of Ayesha.
The charges against Shoaib are that of harassment of Ayesha, cheating to marry another girl and criminal intimidation including threats to her to keep quiet, according to Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan. Ayesha's father in his complaint, which was lodged hours after Shoaib yesterday confirmed his marriage with Sania, had accused the Pakistani cricketer of cheating his daughter.
The Banjara Hills police said that a case under Sections 420 (cheating), 498-A (dowry harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC has been registered against Shoaib and they will take up the investigation after verifying facts of the complaint.
Khan said an FIR has been made out and it would be followed by collection of evidence and taking legal advice since Shoaib is a Pakistani national.
"The Banjara Hills police have received a complaint by Ayesha Siddiqui against Shoaib Malik. We have registered a case against Shoaib. Now we will take legal opinion quickly before taking further action," Rao had said.
He said there were some legal complications involved in the case and they "will have to examine whether a foreigner committing an offence on a foreign soil comes under the purview of IPC or not".
"The legal opinion will be taken quickly and we will proceed further as the marriage is on April 15," he added.
Criminal case booked against Shoaib Malik
HYDERABAD: The city police on Sunday booked a criminal case against Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. The case under Sections 420 (cheating), 498-A (harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation) were booked against Shoaib based on a complaint lodged by Ayesha Siddiqui, who claimed to have married the cricketer.
“As there are legal complications in the case, we are taking the opinion of legal experts for initiating quick action against Malik,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Co-ordination) Dwaraka Tirumal Rao.
In the complaint, Ayesha alleged that Shoaib was threatening her to accept before the media that she was not married to him. She said Shoaib had married her but now claimed he did not, in order to marry tennis player Sania Mirza. Ayesha's father Mohammed Siddiqui lodged the complaint at Banjara Hills police station on behalf of his daughter.
The Additional Commissioner said: “If an Indian commits an offence abroad also, he is liable for punishment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In this case, the offence was committed out of India by a foreigner. So we are taking legal opinion for necessary action.”
“As there are legal complications in the case, we are taking the opinion of legal experts for initiating quick action against Malik,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Co-ordination) Dwaraka Tirumal Rao.
In the complaint, Ayesha alleged that Shoaib was threatening her to accept before the media that she was not married to him. She said Shoaib had married her but now claimed he did not, in order to marry tennis player Sania Mirza. Ayesha's father Mohammed Siddiqui lodged the complaint at Banjara Hills police station on behalf of his daughter.
The Additional Commissioner said: “If an Indian commits an offence abroad also, he is liable for punishment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In this case, the offence was committed out of India by a foreigner. So we are taking legal opinion for necessary action.”
Shoaib Malik may be prevented from leaving India
Hyderabad: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, against whom ‘first wife’ Ayesha Siddiqui filed a complaint on Sunday, may not be allowed to leave India.
Hours after the complaint was registered at the Banjara Hills police station, charging the cricketer with harassment and cheating, Hyderabad police chief AK Khan said all international airports in the country have been alerted about the criminal plaint. This could block Malik’s exit from India.
Earlier in the day, Ayesha had alleged that she was offered $1 million to declare in front of the media that she didn’t have a relationship with Malik. She further accused Malik of frequently calling her and asking her to stay tightlipped on the issue. The complaint also mentioned Malik’s brother-in-law, Imran Zafar.
The police have registered a case against Malik under sections 498-A (subjecting a woman to cruelty by husband or relative of the husband), 420 (cheating), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
"We are seeking legal opinion on arresting Shoaib Malik or even confiscating his passport since he is a foreign national,” additional police commissioner D Tirumala Rao said.
A senior criminal lawyer said, “If the police are registering the case under section 498A, it means they are convinced that Malik is the complainant’s husband. Slapping this section is likely to trigger a major controversy.”
Another senior criminal lawyer told DNA that all these sections are cognisable. “If the police find any prima facie evidence as per the complaint, the accused would be arrested immediately. But it all depends on the officers handling the case. There are always exceptions,” he said.
Malik has the option of seeking anticipatory bail as a foreign national. “He can claim relief since the complaint is registered here. Since the accused is a foreign national, the police have to follow a certain procedure,” the lawyer said.
What is interesting, however, is the timing of the complaint. The court is not functioning on Monday for Malik to seek anticipatory bail.
Malik is set to marry tennis star Sania Mirza on April 15, but the Siddiquis want the cricketer to officially divorce Ayesha before that.
Malik has said he never saw the Ayesha shown to him in photographs and also dismissed the nikahnama with his signature produced by the Siddiquis.
A source close to Malik told DNA that he is determined to get out of this mess. “The families of Malik and Mirza have consulted Islamic scholars on the validity of the nikahnama. Malik has even hired a lawyer to argue his case.
"It looks like he is confident of going ahead with the wedding and getting over the dispute,” the source said.
Malik said Islamic scholars maintain that a telephone nikah is invalid. He quoted Mohammed Khader Ali, sadar qazi (chief qazi) of Hyderabad and president of the Andhra Pradesh Association for Qazis, and Muslim law to prove that his alleged marriage to Ayesha was not valid.
But a four-cleric bench of the Darul Iftah Jamiat-ul-Mominat issued a fatwa on Sunday declaring a telephone nikah valid. The fatwa was issued by a male and three female clerics with mufti Mastan Ali Qadri’s signature.
The religious seminary has produced the highest number of female clerics in the country.
Hours after the complaint was registered at the Banjara Hills police station, charging the cricketer with harassment and cheating, Hyderabad police chief AK Khan said all international airports in the country have been alerted about the criminal plaint. This could block Malik’s exit from India.
Earlier in the day, Ayesha had alleged that she was offered $1 million to declare in front of the media that she didn’t have a relationship with Malik. She further accused Malik of frequently calling her and asking her to stay tightlipped on the issue. The complaint also mentioned Malik’s brother-in-law, Imran Zafar.
The police have registered a case against Malik under sections 498-A (subjecting a woman to cruelty by husband or relative of the husband), 420 (cheating), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
"We are seeking legal opinion on arresting Shoaib Malik or even confiscating his passport since he is a foreign national,” additional police commissioner D Tirumala Rao said.
A senior criminal lawyer said, “If the police are registering the case under section 498A, it means they are convinced that Malik is the complainant’s husband. Slapping this section is likely to trigger a major controversy.”
Another senior criminal lawyer told DNA that all these sections are cognisable. “If the police find any prima facie evidence as per the complaint, the accused would be arrested immediately. But it all depends on the officers handling the case. There are always exceptions,” he said.
Malik has the option of seeking anticipatory bail as a foreign national. “He can claim relief since the complaint is registered here. Since the accused is a foreign national, the police have to follow a certain procedure,” the lawyer said.
What is interesting, however, is the timing of the complaint. The court is not functioning on Monday for Malik to seek anticipatory bail.
Malik is set to marry tennis star Sania Mirza on April 15, but the Siddiquis want the cricketer to officially divorce Ayesha before that.
Malik has said he never saw the Ayesha shown to him in photographs and also dismissed the nikahnama with his signature produced by the Siddiquis.
A source close to Malik told DNA that he is determined to get out of this mess. “The families of Malik and Mirza have consulted Islamic scholars on the validity of the nikahnama. Malik has even hired a lawyer to argue his case.
"It looks like he is confident of going ahead with the wedding and getting over the dispute,” the source said.
Malik said Islamic scholars maintain that a telephone nikah is invalid. He quoted Mohammed Khader Ali, sadar qazi (chief qazi) of Hyderabad and president of the Andhra Pradesh Association for Qazis, and Muslim law to prove that his alleged marriage to Ayesha was not valid.
But a four-cleric bench of the Darul Iftah Jamiat-ul-Mominat issued a fatwa on Sunday declaring a telephone nikah valid. The fatwa was issued by a male and three female clerics with mufti Mastan Ali Qadri’s signature.
The religious seminary has produced the highest number of female clerics in the country.
Shoaib questioned by Indian police over 'marriage' allegations
HYDERABAD (India): Police have questioned ex-Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik ahead of his planned marriage to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza regarding allegations made by another woman claiming to be the cricket player’s first wife.
Malik has been asked not to leave India while police in Hyderabad investigate the charges, senior police official A.K. Khan said Monday.
In her complaint, filed Sunday, Ayesha Siddique alleged that Malik had married her in June 2002 and she accused him of subjecting her to cruelty and harassment by denying that the wedding took place and by trying to marry another woman.
Malik and Siddique had reportedly developed a friendship on the Internet.
Malik said in a written statement on Sunday that he had married a girl named Ayesha over the telephone phone in June 2002 and signed a marriage certificate but he believed he had been deceived by another woman claiming to be Ayesha Siddique.
He arrived in Hyderabad, Mirza’s hometown, last week from Pakistan to work out arrangements for his wedding to the tennis star, which is scheduled to take place April 15.
Mirza broke off a previous engagement earlier this year before announcing her plans to marry Malik.
The news of the Malik-Mirza wedding plans sparked instant news coverage in the region because neighbouring Pakistan and India are long-time rivals, and have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.
Police visited the home of Mirza in Hyderabad, the capital of southern Andhra Pradesh state, where Malik is staying and recorded his statement on Monday, Stephan Ravindra, a deputy commissioner of police said.
Police are investigating complaints of criminal intimidation, cheating, fraud and harassment for dowry against the Pakistani cricketer, Ravindra told The Associated Press. Police also questioned the complainant, Siddique.
Siddique claims to have a copy of “Nikahnama” or a marriage certificate issued by the Pakistani authorities in Malik’s hometown Sialkot in June 2002. It carries the signature of Shoaib Malik as well as those of two witnesses.
Malik has been banned from representing Pakistan for a year due to infighting within the team during a disastrous tour of Australia this year. - AP
Malik has been asked not to leave India while police in Hyderabad investigate the charges, senior police official A.K. Khan said Monday.
In her complaint, filed Sunday, Ayesha Siddique alleged that Malik had married her in June 2002 and she accused him of subjecting her to cruelty and harassment by denying that the wedding took place and by trying to marry another woman.
Malik and Siddique had reportedly developed a friendship on the Internet.
Malik said in a written statement on Sunday that he had married a girl named Ayesha over the telephone phone in June 2002 and signed a marriage certificate but he believed he had been deceived by another woman claiming to be Ayesha Siddique.
He arrived in Hyderabad, Mirza’s hometown, last week from Pakistan to work out arrangements for his wedding to the tennis star, which is scheduled to take place April 15.
Mirza broke off a previous engagement earlier this year before announcing her plans to marry Malik.
The news of the Malik-Mirza wedding plans sparked instant news coverage in the region because neighbouring Pakistan and India are long-time rivals, and have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.
Police visited the home of Mirza in Hyderabad, the capital of southern Andhra Pradesh state, where Malik is staying and recorded his statement on Monday, Stephan Ravindra, a deputy commissioner of police said.
Police are investigating complaints of criminal intimidation, cheating, fraud and harassment for dowry against the Pakistani cricketer, Ravindra told The Associated Press. Police also questioned the complainant, Siddique.
Siddique claims to have a copy of “Nikahnama” or a marriage certificate issued by the Pakistani authorities in Malik’s hometown Sialkot in June 2002. It carries the signature of Shoaib Malik as well as those of two witnesses.
Malik has been banned from representing Pakistan for a year due to infighting within the team during a disastrous tour of Australia this year. - AP
Police interrogate Shoaib, seize his passport
Police on Monday seized the passport of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and asked him not to leave the country as they questioned him in the wake of a complaint of cheating lodged by the father of a local girl Ayesha Siddiqui claiming that she was married to him.
29-year-old Ayesha was also questioned by Hyderabad Police which is trying to verify authenticity of the 'nikahnama' cited by the Siddiqui family and that of the photo showing her along with 28-year-old Shoaib, a senior police officer said.
The case has been transferred to Central Crime Station, a wing of the city police, he said, adding that Shoaib has been asked not to leave the country.
Shoaib told a police team this morning at the Jubilee Hills residence of 23-year-old tennis star Sania Mirza that he had been tricked into marriage with Ayesha.
"The city police questioned Shoaib Malik for one-and-a-half hours and they have also seized his passport. Immigration authorities have been informed about the case filed against Malik and his passport seizure," Additional Commissioner of Police (Coordination) Dwarka Tirumala Rao said.
Cheating case against Shoaib Malik
The controversy over the alleged first marriage of Shoaib Malik [ Images ] with Hyderabadi girl Ayesha Siddiqui took yet another turn on Sunday with the Banjara Hills police station in Hyderabad registering a cheating case against the Pakistan cricketer.
Police said the case was registered on a complaint by Ahmad Siddiqui that Shoaib had cheated his daughter Ayesha Siddiqui alias Maha Siddiqui.
In his complaint Siddiqui said Shoaib had married his daughter on June 3 2002 over telephone from Pakistan but later deserted her. He enclosed a copy of the Nikahnama (marriage certificate) issued by the authorities in Pakistan.
Siddiqui, who was earlier based in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, alleged that Shoaib is now threatening him.
The Siddiquis lodged the complaint soon after Shoaib admitted, in a written statement, that he had married a girl Ayesha over phone but she was different from the Ayesha Siddiqui who is now claiming to be his wife. He made a counter allegation that Ayesha had cheated him by sending him photos of another girl who was already married.
Shoaib is due to marry Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza on April 15.
Police said the case was registered on a complaint by Ahmad Siddiqui that Shoaib had cheated his daughter Ayesha Siddiqui alias Maha Siddiqui.
In his complaint Siddiqui said Shoaib had married his daughter on June 3 2002 over telephone from Pakistan but later deserted her. He enclosed a copy of the Nikahnama (marriage certificate) issued by the authorities in Pakistan.
Siddiqui, who was earlier based in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, alleged that Shoaib is now threatening him.
The Siddiquis lodged the complaint soon after Shoaib admitted, in a written statement, that he had married a girl Ayesha over phone but she was different from the Ayesha Siddiqui who is now claiming to be his wife. He made a counter allegation that Ayesha had cheated him by sending him photos of another girl who was already married.
Shoaib is due to marry Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza on April 15.
I was fooled, shown wrong photo, cheated: Shoaib Malik
Hyderabad: I want to clarify a few wrongly reported facts about me in some sections of the media, newspapers and television channels in India and Pakistan. I want to make my position clear especially because I am to wed Sania Mirza in the near future.
Ayesha first started calling me on the telephone when I was in Sharjah with the Pakistani cricket team in 2001. She said she was living in Saudi Arabia. Every time I brought up the topic of meeting her, she would send me a bunch of photographs. The truth is, I haven’t to this day met the girl in the photographs.
In 2002, I came to Hyderabad specifically to meet Ayesha. Just before I left Pakistan, she told me she had to rush to Saudi Arabia on urgent work and her cousins — Reema and Maha apa (meaning older sister) — would take me around. I asked her family where she was and they said that in the last year she had put on a lot of weight because of which she did not want to meet me until she could shed some of that. I told them I had photographs of her and that she wasn’t fat, but they told me those were older photographs.
Ayesha wanted us to get married. In 2002, she told me that people in Hyderabad were talking about our relationship and it was putting her parents in an embarrassing position. She wanted us to have a telephone nikah to stop the talk. I was only 20 then. There was a lot of pressure. I called her from a friend’s shop in 2002. I got a nikahnama signed thinking the girl I was marrying was the one in the photographs.
A year or so later, I travelled to Hyderabad in the hope of meeting
her, but once again it was the same story.
In 2004, my brother-in-law travelled to Hyderabad to meet Ayesha and her family and again the same story was repeated. Later that year, I was in Hyderabad with the Pakistani cricket team. Mr MA Siddiqui invited the team to his house for dinner. I was hoping to meet Ayesha, but the same story was told to me.
In a practice game, the next day, I won the man of the match award. Later, I said that I was happy this was happening in my wife’s city.
We accidentally ran into the truth about who Ayesha was. It was the worst moment of my life. No one enjoys being made a fool of and that was exactly how I was made to look. It happened in August 2005. My brother-in-law got a photograph of a teacher in Saudi Arabia, who was telling people around her that she was married to me. His nephews were studying in that school. I was aghast when he showed me the photograph of the teacher; the woman in it was the person I called Maha apa. I told Ayesha I was going to release the photographs she had been mailing me to the media. She apologised and told me that the other girl was married and that I would ruin her life if I released those pictures.
In 2008, my lawyer sent a legal notice to Mr MA Siddiqui. After that, he stopped making false allegations, until of course, news of my marriage to Sania Mirza became public.
Now, they are asking for a divorce. To begin with, there was no nikah because they pressured me into it, with the intention to cheat. In Islam, there can only be a divorce if the nikah is valid.
This is the opinion of Mohammed Khader Ali, Sadar Qazi (chief Qazi) of Hyderabad and president of the Andhra Pradesh Association of Qazis on nikah and the Muslim law: Firstly, in Muslim law, it is about the process, procedure, there can be no tampering with that. Secondly, meher (dower or a specified sum of money), two witnesses (one from the bride’s and one from the groom’s side), vakhil (guardian of the bride) and finally the bride and groom, all these parties have to sign the nikahnama at the time of the nikah.
Ayesha first started calling me on the telephone when I was in Sharjah with the Pakistani cricket team in 2001. She said she was living in Saudi Arabia. Every time I brought up the topic of meeting her, she would send me a bunch of photographs. The truth is, I haven’t to this day met the girl in the photographs.
In 2002, I came to Hyderabad specifically to meet Ayesha. Just before I left Pakistan, she told me she had to rush to Saudi Arabia on urgent work and her cousins — Reema and Maha apa (meaning older sister) — would take me around. I asked her family where she was and they said that in the last year she had put on a lot of weight because of which she did not want to meet me until she could shed some of that. I told them I had photographs of her and that she wasn’t fat, but they told me those were older photographs.
Ayesha wanted us to get married. In 2002, she told me that people in Hyderabad were talking about our relationship and it was putting her parents in an embarrassing position. She wanted us to have a telephone nikah to stop the talk. I was only 20 then. There was a lot of pressure. I called her from a friend’s shop in 2002. I got a nikahnama signed thinking the girl I was marrying was the one in the photographs.
A year or so later, I travelled to Hyderabad in the hope of meeting
her, but once again it was the same story.
In 2004, my brother-in-law travelled to Hyderabad to meet Ayesha and her family and again the same story was repeated. Later that year, I was in Hyderabad with the Pakistani cricket team. Mr MA Siddiqui invited the team to his house for dinner. I was hoping to meet Ayesha, but the same story was told to me.
In a practice game, the next day, I won the man of the match award. Later, I said that I was happy this was happening in my wife’s city.
We accidentally ran into the truth about who Ayesha was. It was the worst moment of my life. No one enjoys being made a fool of and that was exactly how I was made to look. It happened in August 2005. My brother-in-law got a photograph of a teacher in Saudi Arabia, who was telling people around her that she was married to me. His nephews were studying in that school. I was aghast when he showed me the photograph of the teacher; the woman in it was the person I called Maha apa. I told Ayesha I was going to release the photographs she had been mailing me to the media. She apologised and told me that the other girl was married and that I would ruin her life if I released those pictures.
In 2008, my lawyer sent a legal notice to Mr MA Siddiqui. After that, he stopped making false allegations, until of course, news of my marriage to Sania Mirza became public.
Now, they are asking for a divorce. To begin with, there was no nikah because they pressured me into it, with the intention to cheat. In Islam, there can only be a divorce if the nikah is valid.
This is the opinion of Mohammed Khader Ali, Sadar Qazi (chief Qazi) of Hyderabad and president of the Andhra Pradesh Association of Qazis on nikah and the Muslim law: Firstly, in Muslim law, it is about the process, procedure, there can be no tampering with that. Secondly, meher (dower or a specified sum of money), two witnesses (one from the bride’s and one from the groom’s side), vakhil (guardian of the bride) and finally the bride and groom, all these parties have to sign the nikahnama at the time of the nikah.
Bring your bride home, Afridi to Malik
Lahore: Pakistan`s Twenty20 cricket captain Shahid Afridi today hoped that his beleaguered teammate Shoaib Malik would tide over the legal storm caused by a past affair gone wrong and bring his bride home.
"Since he has gone to India he must now bring his bride home," Afridi said.
Malik is in a legal mess in Hyderabad after his alleged first wife Ayesha Siddiqui filed an FIR against him for trying to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza without taking a formal divorce.
Shoaib`s passport has been seized and the Hyderabad police questioned him for close to two hours today.
Afridi, who is dealing with his own share of problems after being slapped with a Rs three million fine by the Pakistan Cricket Board for indiscipline and ball-tampering, said he would not be hiring a lawyer to fight his case or file an appeal against the punishment.
"I don`t want to make an issue of this fine and I will try to resolve it myself. I don`t want to get involved in hiring any lawyer as it will only complicate matters," he said.
The Pakistani captain said he had only asked the board to clarify how they could fine him for an offence for which he had already got punishment from the ICC match referee.
"If I am satisfied with their answer I will not pursue this case any further," he said.
"The board has taken its decision, some players have been banned and some have been fined but I have told the players they must get over this phase and focus on doing well in the Twenty20 World Cup where we have to defend our title," Afridi added.
He also rejected suggestions that the punishments handed out to the players would have a negative effect on their performance.
"We are all professionals and we are supposed to perform for our country and we need to overcome these pressures and fight on," he said.
Pakistan to fully back Shoaib Malik: Foreign office
Islamabad/Hyderabad, April 5 (IANS) Pakistan said Monday it would fully back cricketer Shoaib Malik as he contests cheating charges by Ayesha Siddiqui, a resident of Hyderabad in India, who claims to be his first wife and has demanded a divorce before he weds Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters that the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was in touch with the Indian authorities and had asked for details about the First Information Report (FIR) the Hyderabad police filed against Malik on Sunday following Ayesha’s complaint.
“We will have to wait till the details of the FIR are with us,” Basit added.
The Hyderabad police Monday seized Malik’s passport after questioning him for nearly two hours at Sania Mirza’s home on Ayesha’s complaint.
Shoaib was unhappy that his passport had been seized and said he would complain to the Pakistan High Commission, police sources said. He was questioned at Sania’s Jubilee Hills home.
Assistant Commissioner of Police R. Ravinder Reddy told reporters after the questioning that the case was under investigation but refused to answer any queries.
Another team of police officials recorded Ayesha’s statement at her residence in Banjara Hills. She handed over the ‘nikahnama’, or marriage document, which has been sent to the forensic laboratory to verify Shoaib’s signature.
Police posed several questions to Ayesha and her parents regarding her complaint. She reportedly gave details of Shoaib’s stay in Hyderabad during his visits after the marriage.
Shoaib, who landed in Hyderabad Friday, has been staying at Sania’s house in preparation for their April 15 wedding.
Since Ayesha’s charges of cheating, dowry harassment and criminal intimidation are serious and non-bailable, the police Sunday night alerted all airports to prevent Shoaib from leaving India.
She alleged that Shoaib had offered her $1 million to keep mum about their marriage. She also stated that he threatened her to not speak to the media.
The FIR has been booked under sections 498 A (harassment), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Section 498 A also relates to cruelty against married women.
A senior police officer said they were also taking legal opinion on the complaint against Shoaib as it involved a foreigner and the crimes might have been committed by him abroad.
The police may also have to take permission from the union home ministry before arresting Shoaib.
Shoaib had Sunday denied marrying Ayesha saying he signed a ‘nikahnama’ for marrying a girl whose photographs she had been sending him.
Shoaib`s family waiting for details of case
Lahore: Shoaib Malik`s family is waiting for details of the case registered against him on the complaint filed by Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be the first wife of the cricketer, at Banjara Hills Police station in Hyderabad.
"We really don`t know what the cases have been made out against Shoaib but our lawyer in India is in touch with Shoaib and with us and is obtaining the copies of the FIR and other details," Shoaib`s brother-in-law Imran Zafar said today.
He made it clear that Shoaib was not the type of person to threaten anyone and Ayesha`s claims that he offered her millions of rupees to keep quiet were ridiculous.
Sources close to Shoaib said that after Ayesha and her family went ahead with filing the police report, the Pakistani cricketer`s mother and family members were worried.
"Contact has also been established with the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi through government channels to see whether this case can become a big problem for Shoaib," one source stated.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani barrister hired by Ayesha said he would file a case against Shoaib in the next few days.
"I am just waiting for some more documents and evidence to come from India after which I will file a case against Shoaib," Farooq Hasan said.
He, however, did not elaborate if he would also file a complaint against Shoaib with the police as Ayesha and her family had done in Hyderabad today.
"I had a detailed discussion with Ayesha and her father today and once they send me more documents I will move ahead," he added.
Hasan said under Pakistani law if Ayesha claimed to be the first wife of Shoaib then he could not enter into a second `nikah` without her permission.
Sources said Hasan is planning to hold a press conference tomorrow to give out details of the cases he will file against Shoaib.
"We really don`t know what the cases have been made out against Shoaib but our lawyer in India is in touch with Shoaib and with us and is obtaining the copies of the FIR and other details," Shoaib`s brother-in-law Imran Zafar said today.
He made it clear that Shoaib was not the type of person to threaten anyone and Ayesha`s claims that he offered her millions of rupees to keep quiet were ridiculous.
Sources close to Shoaib said that after Ayesha and her family went ahead with filing the police report, the Pakistani cricketer`s mother and family members were worried.
"Contact has also been established with the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi through government channels to see whether this case can become a big problem for Shoaib," one source stated.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani barrister hired by Ayesha said he would file a case against Shoaib in the next few days.
"I am just waiting for some more documents and evidence to come from India after which I will file a case against Shoaib," Farooq Hasan said.
He, however, did not elaborate if he would also file a complaint against Shoaib with the police as Ayesha and her family had done in Hyderabad today.
"I had a detailed discussion with Ayesha and her father today and once they send me more documents I will move ahead," he added.
Hasan said under Pakistani law if Ayesha claimed to be the first wife of Shoaib then he could not enter into a second `nikah` without her permission.
Sources said Hasan is planning to hold a press conference tomorrow to give out details of the cases he will file against Shoaib.
Few takers for Sania-Shoaib wedding in Pakistan
Islamabad: Most Pakistanis think cross-border marriages may be the perfect way to bridge the great divide between their country and India, but they are not giving the Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik wedding much of a chance.
"I think Sania Mirza is too good for Shoaib Malik. It`s a bad bargain," Ayesha Ansari (name changed), the retired headmistress of an elite school in Pakistan, said.
Ansari claimed she isn`t the only one who thinks like that.
"A lot of Pakistanis I know feel this marriage will not work. It`s a tough one," she said.
However, Ansari is all for Indo-Pakistan marriages. "Such marriages are a good thing. Good for both countries. They explode myths, remove phobias and bring people together."
For most Pakistanis, marriage by itself is a tricky proposition and the Indo-Pakistan situation compounds issues further.
"Mutual attraction, marriage is a good thing. But what happens if the marriage does not last?" asked Sadia Khan, an IT professional.
Ansari herself crossed the border from India many years ago to marry a Pakistani.
Unfortunately her marriage did not last long. Neither did the marriage of her daughter, who decided to settle down with an Indian.
Though Ansari was allowed to live in India on a special visa for several years, she had to eventually return to Pakistan and live the rest of her life as a Pakistani.
"Such marriages are not wrong. The political situation is. Why can`t they offer dual citizenship to people who decide to marry on either side?" Ansari suggested.
"A lot of my Pakistani students are from broken homes. So it`s not that the problem is with Indo-Pakistan marriages alone. Marriages are tricky everywhere," she said.
The "third country solution” in Sania and Shoaib`s case the decision to live in Dubai after the wedding also does not work, according to Ansari.
"You are away from your respective families. I am not sure if that works," she said.
Under the circumstances, several Pakistanis believe Sania`s marriage stands little chance.
The controversy over Shoaib`s reported marriage to Ayesha Siddiqui too has complicated the situation, Ansari said.
Shoaib Malik not to leave HYDERABAD DECCAN
Ayesha's father files FIR against Shoaib Malik due to this circumtances Police warnt Shoaib Malik not to leave HYDERABAD DECCAN without permission.
Cheating case against Shoaib Malik
The controversy over the alleged first marriage of Shoaib Malik [ Images ] with Hyderabadi girl Ayesha Siddiqui took yet another turn on Sunday with the Banjara Hills police station in Hyderabad registering a cheating case against the Pakistan cricketer.
Police said the case was registered on a complaint by Ahmad Siddiqui that Shoaib had cheated his daughter Ayesha Siddiqui alias Maha Siddiqui.
In his complaint Siddiqui said Shoaib had married his daughter on June 3 2002 over telephone from Pakistan but later deserted her. He enclosed a copy of the Nikahnama (marriage certificate) issued by the authorities in Pakistan.
Siddiqui, who was earlier based in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, alleged that Shoaib is now threatening him.
The Siddiquis lodged the complaint soon after Shoaib admitted, in a written statement, that he had married a girl Ayesha over phone but she was different from the Ayesha Siddiqui who is now claiming to be his wife. He made a counter allegation that Ayesha had cheated him by sending him photos of another girl who was already married.
Shoaib is due to marry Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza on April 15.
Shoaib Malik Determined to Marry Sania Mirza; Film About Her Life Starring Sonam Kapoor Starts Shooting At Same Time
In a strange sense of timing, the marriage between Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza is to take place in April, and the film about Sania’s life, starring Sonam Kapoor, will begin shooting in April also.
Pakistani cricket captain Shoaib Malik announced on Twitter this week that he will marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
“The news of me marrying to Sania is true,” said Malik “Inshallah (God willing) we will get married in April.”
Sania says the same: “My wedding, Inshallah, is going to be the biggest day of my life,” she said.
Meanwhile, as protests about their wedding rage on, including the recent detention of twenty members of the Hindu Youths Federation for tearing and burning her photos, a movie is being planned that appears to have the same storyline as the famous tennis star’s life.
Director Anees Bazmee says, “Sonam does pay a tennis champ, and Akshay Kumar plays a guy who’s seeing 30-35 girls at the same time, until he meets Sonam.”
FIR lodged against Shoaib Malik;offered bribe to Ayesha
Hyderabad: Following a complaint by the Siddiqui family, an FIR has been lodged against Shoaib Malik at the Banjara Hill police station in Hyderabad.
Siddiqui, in his complaint, had accused Shoaib of cheating, cruelty to woman and criminal conspiracy, Banjara Hills Police Inspector Iqbal Siddiqui said.
Consequently, Shoaib has been booked under Indian Penal Code Acts of 498A, 506 and 420.
Moments after Shoaib in a statement, had termed his marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui invalid, the Siddiqui family had reiterated by lodging a complaint against the former Pakistan captain at the Banjara Hill police station in Hyderabad.
"We received the complaint and we have not booked any case so far. We are verifying the facts," the police official had confirmed.
Malik is now likely to be questioned by the police.
The development surfaced even as there are reports that hectic parleys are on to resolve the dispute between Malik and Ayesha, after the former claimed to be the Pakistani cricketer's wife.
Ayesha also accused Malik of offering a bribe of USD 100 crores to underplay their ‘marriage’ and not go to the media with her side of story.
Former Indian cricket team manager Vankenna Chamundeswaranath is believed to be trying to broker peace.
Chamundeswaranath had come to the residence of Sania Mirza, whom Shoaib is set to marry this month, this morning to meet the Pakistani cricketer, who flew in here yesterday.
Chamundeswaranath is expected to carry the message to the Siddiquis who have threatened to sue Shoaib if he didn't divorce Ayesha before marrying Sania.
Meanwhile, Shoaib is expected to meet Pakistan High Commission to obtain a 'Izazatnama' which is required for Pakistani nationals to marry someone other than a Pakistani.
Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik was in city last evening attending convocation at ISB but it is not clear whether any meeting took place between Shoaib and the High Commissioner.
According to sources, 20 rooms were booked for Shoaib's marriage with Sania in Taj Krishna hotel here. A famous designer from Delhi is expected to design wedding dress for the couple.
Siddiqui Family Releases Shoaib-Ayesha ‘marriage’ Certificate
The Shoaib-Ayesha plot thickened Friday after the Siddiqui family released, what they claimed, the marriage certificate of the Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik’s 2002 ‘wedding’ with their daughter Ayesha Siddiqui.
But Shoaib claims the photograph of the girl the Siddiqui family showed him was not of Ayesha and “this fraud” was the reason for breaking up of Shoaib and Ayesha engagement, he said.
A marriage certificate (Nikahnama) was flashed today on several Pakistani private television channels. It apparently contains the signatures of both Shoaib Malik and Maha Siddiqui aka Ayesha Siddiqui
“I have released this marriage certificate because Shoaib and his family have constantly been denying this marriage,” Ayesha told Duniya News channel. Ayesha is residing in Hyderabad with her family.
The Siddiqui family claims Shoaib Malik is married to their daughter Ayesha Siddiqui and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza would be his second wife if they go ahead with the marriage in April.
Shoaib’s brother-in-law, Imran Zafar Malik has dismissed the marriage certificate as a fake and said when no Nikah ceremony ever took place the document had no value at all.
'Sohrab Mirza wants to move on'
Mumbai: Though it may sound bizarre, Sohrab Mirza’s dad Adil Mirza says he is willing to attend Sania Mirza’s wedding.
However, he adds, “Sohrab won’t be able to attend as he is in London (studying Business Management at University of Warwick).” Adil says Sohrab doesn’t intend to come to India now and has told his dad that he ‘will be immersing himself in studies’.
“I have already wished Imran (Mirza, Sania’s dad). But as of now I have neither got an invitation from him nor have I been informed about the dates of her wedding. But if I am invited, I intend to go there as a guest and offer my blessings. A broken engagement cannot be the reason for two family friends to fight and bicker. We will move on as if nothing happened between us (the two families),” says Adil.
On being asked how Sohrab is coping up with the news of Sania’s marriage, Adil says Sohrab has told him that he intends to ‘move on’. In fact, Sohrab didn’t break down when he heard the news. “He sounded cool about it and we didn’t want to discuss about it in detail. I am sure he is feeling horrible but he knows that such is life. My son is a brave boy. He is aware that he has to move on in life and not get stuck with this,” says Adil on the phone from Hyderabad.
He ends saying, “Sohrab turns 25 this year and we shouldn’t push him into anything. He talks less but he does exactly what he wishes to do. He wants to join Harvard Business School and I think he has taken a good decision. Though I have my business here, I want my son to stay there (in London) and study. He too wants that.”
I was never seeing Shoaib Malik: Sayali Bhagat
Mumbai: Three days after the news of Sania Mirza marrying Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik broke out, the latter’s reported ex-girlfriend Sayali Bhagat also broke her silence. And what she told us was shocking to say the least.
“I was never seeing Shoaib. I met him when we both had signed a film together. When a film rolls out, there is always gossip about the lead pair seeing or dating each other and that happened to both of us too. Though the controversy was not true, I enjoyed the attention. In our profession any news is publicity, but now I had to come out and clarify the rumours because it was going way above my head. My family has been getting incessant calls and is being harassed for no fault of their own,” Sayali says.
What she says only brings out the workings of Bollywood today. She admits she is now paying the price of the publicity machinery that makes sure the spotlight is maintained on the film.
“What I am facing today is the price of publicity. I was dating someone else when the rumour of Shoaib and me broke and my relationship was affected,” she says.
She also reveals to us how this gossip about her getting married took shape. “I got to know Shoaib when we were offered a film together. Despite agreeing to the offer, the producer and director (Wilson Louis) could not sell Shoaib as he was a Pakistani cricketer. Meanwhile, 26/11 happened which meant the production house could not market Shoaib as a hero at any cost. I’m just 24 and there is lots of time to get married. I’m not desperate to get married,” she says.
She adds, “Whenever I met Shoaib, I never met him alone. But gossip happened and any news is publicity for a film. So, I was silent but I am glad that I’ve spoken the truth today. It was required to stop speculations.”
Ayesha 'Proves' She Is First Wife Of Shoaib Malik
Dark cloud has gathered around Sania Mirza- Shoaib Malik wedding as Ayesha Siddiqui, 'first wife' of Malik, today claimed in a telephonic chat with an Indian news channel that she has Nikahnama in her possession. Soon after she is said to have sent the Nikahnama (wedding certificate) through an email to a Pakistani news channel.
The email to a Pakistan news channel also purportedly claimed that she was married to Shoaib Malik for a Meher of Rs 500.
“I have all the necessary documents to prove that Shoaib Malik is my husband. We have stayed away from each other for our respective careers, and if he wants to marry anyone he should first publicly divorce me,” Ayesha said.
Adding further Ayesha claimed, “I was the one who introduced Sania Mirza to Shoaib Malik and after being successful Shoaib has decided to dump me. I am also shocked at the way Shoaib’s family has behaved on the whole episode.”
She further said she wanted a formal public divorce from Shoaib.
Sohaib Malik too had accepted that Ayesha is his wife at least twice in tv interviews. But later, he denied the marriage and said that he was merely engaged to Ayesha. Ayesha's father had also said that on his visit to Hyderabad, Malik had stayed with them.
Shoaib Malik contemplating legal action against first wife's family for 'fraud' marriage
LAHORE: The controversy surrounding Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik’s marriage with tennis sensation Sania Mirza is getting bigger by the day, with the former skipper planning to go to court against an Indian girl, Ayesha Siddiqui, who has claimed to be his first wife.
Shoaib’s brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik told a private television channel that they have hired a counsel in New Delhi to take legal action against the Hyderabad based Siddiqui family.
Imran agreed that Shoaib had got engaged to Ayesha, but the Siddiqui family had shown a photograph of another girl at the time of engagement.
“This fraud was the reason behind Shoaib breaking his engagement with Ayesha,” The News quoted Imran, as saying.
Meanwhile, breaking her silence over the controversy, Ayesha has claimed that she is still married to Shoaib and that their marriage was not a ‘fraud’.
Talking to a private television channel Ayesha said, she has ‘proof’ of her marriage with the Pakistani all rounder and would soon present it in front of the whole world.
Shoaib’s brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik told a private television channel that they have hired a counsel in New Delhi to take legal action against the Hyderabad based Siddiqui family.
Imran agreed that Shoaib had got engaged to Ayesha, but the Siddiqui family had shown a photograph of another girl at the time of engagement.
“This fraud was the reason behind Shoaib breaking his engagement with Ayesha,” The News quoted Imran, as saying.
Meanwhile, breaking her silence over the controversy, Ayesha has claimed that she is still married to Shoaib and that their marriage was not a ‘fraud’.
Talking to a private television channel Ayesha said, she has ‘proof’ of her marriage with the Pakistani all rounder and would soon present it in front of the whole world.
Shoaib Malik exposed!
News channel Headlines Today claims to have found a video in which Shoaib admits to getting married and even accepts congratulations.
The video which was recorded on March 30, 2005 shows Shoaib admitting that he was married and playing in his wife's city. He says so in public after a cricket match in Hyderabad.
The video has come as an embarrassment for Shoaib, who is marrying tennis star Sania Mirza in Hyderabad on April 15.
The video shot at the Hyderabad cricket stadium shows former Indian cricketer Arun Lal mentioning about Shoaib's return to form, to which Shoaib replies: "I was a little disappointed, but I am fine now as I just scored 82 runs. This is my wife's home, so I am so happy."
Shoaib even accepts Lal's congratulations on his marriage with a "thank you", as reported by a website.
Undoubtedly, the "wife" Shoaib mentions in the video is not Sania but Ayesha.
Siddiqui family turns heat on Shoaib Malik
KARACHI/HYDERABAD: Turning the heat on Shoaib Malik before his April 15 marriage to Sania Mirza, Ayesha Siddiqui and her family on Friday threatened to sue the Pakistani cricketer and made it clear that the unsavoury chapter will be closed only if she gets an "official divorce".
Ayesha, who claims to have married Shoaib in 2002, went the whole hog on Friday circulating copies of her 'nikahnama' to Pakistani and Indian channels where she poured her heart out on the break-up.
The marriage certificate was shown by several Pakistani television channels and apparently contained the signatures of Shoaib on the column for the groom and the name of Maha Siddiqui on the column for the bride.
"I have released this marriage certificate because Shoaib and his family have constantly been denying this marriage," Ayesha said.
28-year-old Shoaib is all set to tie the nuptial knot with 23-year-old tennis sensation Sania on April 15 in Hyderabad, which will be followed by a reception in Lahore.
"The only thing I want now is an official divorce from him, but it has to be in the open and not behind closed doors because he can always then deny it later as he has the marriage. I want to end my ordeal, I want to move on and put a stop to people asking me questions constantly about my marriage to him. Even an official 'talaq, talaq talaq' will do," she said.
Her father M A Siddiqui threatened to file a case against Shoaib if he went ahead with the marriage to Sania without divorcing Ayesha.
While the Siddiqui family claims Shoaib is married to their daughter and Sania would be his second wife if they go ahead with the marriage, the Pakistani cricketer and his family have constantly denied that he ever entered into any wedlock with Ayesha.
Siddiqui has threatened to sue Malik and also seek a fatwa against him from Ulemas.
Ayesha said that she had released the Nikahnama because it proved that the marriage did take place.
"They are signatures of witnesses on the certificate and Shoaib sent me a copy for signature and a 'Haq Mahar' amount of Pakistani 500 rupees," she said.
She said that Shoaib had always been unhappy with her weight problems and for his sake, she had even gone and had a surgery in Delhi.
"But I am devastated the way he is constantly denying everything. I have nothing against Sania but the truth must come out," Ayesha said.
Imran Zafar Malik, Shoaib's brother-in-law, however, dismissed the marriage certificate as a fake and said when no Nikah ceremony ever took place the document had no value at all.
"I don't want to say anything more except that Ayesha is a very talented girl and she is being misguided by some people," he said.
Imran also said that the Siddiqui family had left them no choice but to purse legal action against them in India.
An emotional Ayesha said, "I may not be a winner but I am not loser either. If he doesn't want me, well I don't want him either. My father went through a quadruple by-pass surgery. I am not begging for sympathy, I just know what my family has undergone for this."
Ayesha rubbished talk of her doing this for publicity and money.
She also brushed aside reports that Shoaib had married a woman by the name of Maha Siddiqui and not Ayesha.
"My name is Maha Siddiqui, Ayesha is the name given to me by my grandmother. Maha is my name in my passport. So ironically, when he says the wrong name was given during the nikah, well both names belong to the same person -- me," she said.
A Pakistani television channel today beamed excerpts of a 2004 interview in which Shoaib admitted he was married to Ayesha.
Asked by the interviewer if girls had started approaching him as he was a young and successful cricketer, Malik replied, "It seems you want me to be beaten by my wife. I am already married. My nikaah has been done. She stays in Jeddah though she hails from Hyderabad in India.
"Her name is Ayesha and I am very happy. If there are any calls from women, I don't attend to them and I avoid them," he had said.
Ayesha said she met Shoaib in Dubai in 2000 and the two started meeting each other regularly.
"When he started off, in 2002 his career wasn't really doing too well. Even I had just started of my career, teaching. It took time for us to talk to our respective families. So by the time things started working for us it was too late, he had become a star and he was no longer interested in me.
"The only thing he saw was that 'You don't look that great, you're not that pretty, you're embarrassing me," she said.
Shoaib Malik-Ayesha Marriage Certificate Copy
Shoaib Malik’s nikahnama
As the news of the wedding of Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has hit the headlines in both countries then at the same time Malik’s marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui is also in the news.
The marriage certificate (Nikkah Nama) of Shoaib Malik’s first marriage with India’s Ayesha Siddqui on Friday.
According to the documents, the marriage was solemnized at June 3, 2002 by Hafiz Mohammad Khalid s/o Munir, while Mukhtar Ali Khan s/o Abdul Rehman and Syed Ibrar Hussain s/o Syed Mubbashar Ali were named as witnesses in the certificate.
In the certificate a Rs500 was set as Haq Mehar; Ayesha said that her nick name is Maha and that is why her name Maha Siddiqui was written in the certificate.
Ayesha said that she received the marriage certificate through courier besides the Rs500 amount as Haq Mehar.
She said that all she wanted from Shoaib is divorce, and if he did not, she would move the court in this regard.
Bhajji & SRK will be invited: Shoaib
Shoaib Malik’s family remains unfazed with MA Siddiqui’s threats to sue the former Pakistani captain
Hyderabad-based MA Siddiqui has threatened to take Shoaib Malik to court to ensure that the former Pakistani captain divorce Ayesha before tying the knot with Sania Mirza on April 15. But the Malik household remains unfazed by this news. While Shoaib’s sister (Shazia Imran) is busy shopping and is in two minds deciding on which gold ornament she must get for her sister-in-law, Shoaib’s brother-in-law, Imran Zafar, is in Lahore to choose the wedding card.
Speaking on Siddiqui’s threat, Imran says, “We aren’t disturbed at all. The wedding preparations are going on fine. We went down to Hyderabad in the middle of March to ask for Sania’s hand. When they accepted the proposal, it’s evident that they must have done all the homework that was required before agreeing to get their daughter married off. We still maintain that Shoaib was duped and shown pictures of another girl posing as Ayesha. We have all those pictures of the girl who posed as Ayesha. Last time around, when the issue was raised, we had decided not to release those pictures to the media because it involved the privacy of a lady. But we can’t be soft all the time.”
But what about the clips of Shoaib being interviewed by Arun Lal post an Indo-Pak match where he accepted congratulations for his wedding after having won the match in his wife’s city? “Shoaib was madly in love with a girl whose pictures were sent to him. But that girl wasn’t Ayesha. Shoaib was trapped. Ayesha would tutor him online and have him parrot the line that they were married at some select interviews. The Arun Lal interview was a result of Ayesha Siddiqui tutoring Shoaib,” Imran adds.
While the Ayesha episode might be past for the Maliks, the family is equally cool about Sania’s ex-factor, Sohrab Mirza. “It’s their personal matter. But we don’t want to dwell on the past,” Imran says.
The family, including Shoaib’s mother Farooq Sultana, isn’t bothered about Sania’s hemline controversies either. “My mother-in-law understands that a short skirt is a sportsgirl’s uniform. We are not conservative enough to get perturbed with all that. Right now, our only concern is the wedding,” Imran avers.
While on the wedding, members of the Malik family are expecting to get their visa in a day or two. “We will be in Hyderbad on April 15 for the wedding. We are still deciding on whether to host the Pakistani reception in Lahore or Sialkot. As for the guestlist, there’s Bhajji, Viru and Ashish Nehra. My son (Shoaib’s nephew) is a huge fan of Team Kolkata. We will be inviting SRK. The rest on the guestlist will be decided once Shoaib returns to Pakistan. There’ll be no reception in Dubai,” Imran informs.
Finally, what about rumours claiming that Imran is tweeting on Shoaib’s behalf? “Shoaib isn’t on Twitter. We are so busy with the wedding preparations now that we haven’t yet had the time to figure out who is tweeting on Shoaib’s behalf,”.
Shoaib Malik’s nikahnama
LAHORE: As the news of the wedding of Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has hit the headlines in both countries then at the same time Malik’s marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui is also in the news.
Geo News has found the nikahnama of Shoaib Malik, in which name of bridegroom was written as Shoaib Malik and bride as Maha Siddiqui.
Ayesha says that her original name is Maha Siddiqui.
The residential address of Shoaib Malik was written in the nikahnama as A-4, Tariq Colony, Sialkot.
As per the nikahnama, the nikah was performed by Hafiz Mohamamd Khalid s/o Mohammad Munir and mehar was fixed at Rs 500.
A stamp of registrar Nasir Khan was also seen in the document.
Pakistanis welcome `Sania Bhabhi` on Facebook!
Islamabad: Pakistanis are going gaga over the upcoming Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik wedding, with some ardent fans creating a Facebook page to welcome "Sania Bhabhi".
"We welcome Bhabhi Sania Mirza to Pakistan" was created on the social networking website shortly after Sania and Shoaib confirmed that they were getting married on April 15.
Most fans who posted on the page took pride in the fact that Sania Mirza would soon be Pakistan`s "bahu". Some others, however, regretted that the couple would be staying in Dubai after their marriage.
"Nice couple. May Allah bless them," wrote Fareeha Akhtar, a fan of the page.
Links to news items and pictures of Sania and Shoaib have been posted on the page.
Fans were asked to refrain from posting "offensive" comments.
"Dear fans. Please do not write offensive or derogatory comments on this page. Sania and Shoaib are Pakistan`s pride and we must respect them," wrote the creator of the page.
So far over 300 Pakistanis have joined in to welcome "Sania Bhabhi" to Pakistan.
Elsewhere in the blogosphere, Pakistanis are wondering if Sania would play for Pakistan or change her surname to "Malik" while some are betting on the longevity of the marriage.
PTI
Shoaib in trouble; Ayesha produces Nikahnama
Nikahnama (wedding certificate) through an email to a Pakistani News Channel to prove her point.
Karachi: In the latest twist in the Sania Mirza- Shoaib Malik wedding saga, Ayesha Siddiqui, alleged first wife of Malik, has sent her Nikahnama (wedding certificate) through an email to a Pakistani news channel to prove her point.
The latest email to a Pakistan news channel also purportedly claimed that she was married to Shoaib Malik for a Meher of Rs 500.
The marriage certificate (Nikahnama) was shown by several Pakistani television channels and apparently contained the signatures of Shoaib Malik on the column for the groom and the name of Maha Siddiqui on the column for the bride.
"I have released this marriage certificate because Shoaib and his family have constantly been denying this marriage," Ayesha told the 'Duniya' channel from Hyderabad.
While the Siddiqui family claims Shoaib is married to their daughter Ayesha and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza would be his second wife if they go ahead with the marriage, the Pakistani cricketer and his family have constantly denied that he ever entered into any wedlock with Ayesha.
Muhammad Siddiqui, the girl's father, has threatened to sue Malik and also seek a fatwa against him from Ulemas.
Ayesha said that she had released the Nikahnama because it proved that the marriage did take place.
"They are signatures of witnesses on the certificate and Shoaib sent me a copy for signature and a Haq Mahar amount of Pakistani 500 rupees," she said.
She said that Shoaib had always been unhappy with her weight problems and for his sake, she had even gone and had an operation in New Delhi.
"But I am devastated the way he is constantly denying everything. I have nothing against Sania but the truth must come out," Ayesha said.
Imran Zafar Malik, Shoaib's brother-in-law, however, dismissed the marriage certificate as a fake and said when no Nikah ceremony ever took place the document had no value at all.
"I don't want to say anything more except that Ayesha is a very talented girl and she is being misguided by some people," he said.
Zafar also said that the Siddiqui family had left them no choice but to purse legal action against them in India.
“I have all the necessary documents to prove that Shoaib Malik is my husband. We have stayed away from each other for our respective careers, and if he wants to marry anyone he should first publicly divorce me,” Ayesha had earlier told Zee News.
Adding further Ayesha claimed, “I was the one who introduced Sania Mirza to Shoaib Malik and after being successful Shoaib has decided to dump me. I am also shocked at the way Shoaib’s family has behaved on the whole episode.”
She further said she wanted a formal public divorce from Shoaib.
Sania-Shoaib wedding to be held in Hyderabad on April 11
DUBAI: Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza are going to be married on April 11 in Hyderabad Deccan, while their wedding reception would be held on April 15 in Dubai and valima reception would be hosted by Shoaib in Lahore on April 17.
However, Shoaib Malik in an exclusive talk with Geo News said that wedding date and venue would be decided by his and Sania’s parents.
He said that he and his family members are very happy.
Shoaib told that he and family members are reaching India on April 7.
The family sources of Shoaib And Sania told that the wedding would take place in mid-April.
He told that the wedding ceremony would be held in Dubai and he is now busy there in shopping for the marriage.
Regarding his first meeting with Sania, he went to dressing room saying ‘no comments’.
Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission in India issued visa to Sania Mirza, her mother Nasim, father Imran Mirza and sister Anam.
According to Indian sources, Shoaib Malik's family is reaching India on April 6 while the wedding ceremony will take place in Hyderabad on April 11 and a reception will be arranged in Dubai on April 15 and valima will be held on April 17 in Lahore.
Meanwhile hearing the news of the marriage, Shoaib’s fans gathered outside his house in Sialkot and began dancing bhangra and they are expressing joy over the news
Indian political party furious on Shoaib-Sania wedding
COIMBATORE/ TAMIL NADU: Activists of a regional political party in Coimbatore on Wednesday held a protest against the much-speculated marriage of Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza with Pakistani cricket star Shoaib Malik.
The marriage will take place in April.
The protestors condemned Mirza's decision to marry a Pakistani cricketer and raised slogans against her, the Central Government and the Andhra Pradesh Government.
They demanded the tennis player be deported from the country. They also demanded the federal government to take back all the awards given to her.
"There have been reports that Sania Mirza will marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, which the Hindu Makkal Katchi, regional Hindu political outfit strongly condemns," said Senthil Kumar, an activist of Hindu Makkal Katchi.
"Because we feel that the cricket player basically belongs to a country, which aids and abets terrorism against India. It is still to handover the Mumbai attack accused to India. Moreover, this is an insult to 100 crore Indian people and Muslims living in India," he added.
"We also demand that the highest awards such as Padma Shri should be taken back from her immediately and we want to deport her from India."
The 23-year-old tennis player was the first Indian to win a WTA tour event in 2005 and reached her highest world ranking of 27 two years ago although she has since slipped to the 92nd spot.
Malik, 28, has been fighting a 12-month ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board for poor performance and indiscipline.
Nawaj Sharif welcomes impending wedding of Shoaib-Sania
Islamabad: Pakistani political leaders, including former premier Nawaz Sharif, today welcomed the impending wedding of cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, saying it could pave the way for better relations between the two countries.
Sharif, who heads the main opposition PML-N, expressed joy over the news of Shoaib and Sania getting married, saying he was happy for them.
He told a TV news channel that "political issues too could be resolved with a similar positive approach".
Several parliamentarians hailed the engagement and said it could help pave the way for improved relations between the two countries.
The lawmakers, while speaking to the media outside parliament, congratulated Shoaib and Sania and conveyed their best wishes to the families of the couple.
Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Haider Abbas Rizvi described the engagement as a "good symbol" for Pakistan and India.
Expressing the hope that the marriage would help bridge differences between the two neighbours, he said Pakistanis would welcome Sania to their country.
Pakistan People`s Party lawmaker Palwasha Khan appreciated Sania and Shoaib`s engagement and congratulated their families.
She said their impending marriage is a good symbol but some important issues still remaining unresolved with India. Khan expressed the hope that the Indian government would show seriousness in resolving the Kashmir dispute and differences over the sharing of river waters.
North West Frontier Province Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain too said he was pleased to hear the news of Shoaib and Sania`s plans to get married.
"Like others, we are also happy about this wedding," he told the media.
However, Minister of State for Information Samsam Ali Bokhari said the media is devoting too much time to the coverage of the engagement, which was a "routine matter".
PTI
India, Pakistan artists stake it all; give love a chance
Islamabad: Though the Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik wedding is the cynosure of all eyes, much as the Reena Roy-Mohsin Khan, art seems to be bridging the Indo-Pakistan divide with about half a dozen artists finding love across the border despite all odds.
Even when cross-border tensions were peaking in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, artists committed "the act of insanity" and crossed over the border, giving love a chance.
The sailing has already smooth for Sania and Shoaib, who had little trouble getting visas unlike many others who had to run from pillar to post to get visas or to enable their spouses (usually husbands) to visit their respective countries.
A famous Pakistani artist who found her soulmate in India, said, "Me marrying an Indian or him marrying a Pakistani is an act of courage and of huge historical relevance much more important than any ministerial exchange, wouldn`t you think?"
Sana Khan (name changed), who married a reputed artist from eastern India, sees her husband and herself as "cultural ambassadors".
She pointed out: "This is potentially an interesting trend in future relations."
Sania and Shoaib will perhaps never be able to articulate the significance of such marriages like Khan.
Khan`s decision to marry an Indian wasn`t easy.
"My parents are originally from India, so it was too much of a reversal of history for them, that I would move back. They have `explained away` India from their minds for psychological reasons and to hear of me moving back, of course, filled them with trepidation," she said.
"Everyone in their right minds knows that an Indo-Pakistan marriage can be a logistical nightmare and wouldn`t wish that for their child. It`s a very strong political divide.
"Though for the couples concerned, the marriage and the move is a natural enough thing to do if you care for each other for society at large it`s an act of insanity," she said.
Khan met her husband when she was in India for an artists` residency in 2001. The marriage took place recently.
Apart from Indian and Pakistani society not accepting such marriages (and landlords refusing to rent out homes to such couples), it is always the wife who has to move to her spouse`s country.
"In all Indo-Pakistan marriages, the men, whether Indian or Pakistani, are the ones who have a harder time getting visas. So the women end up moving to the other country," Khan pointed out.
Two other Pakistani artists and a journalist have married Indians and moved to India.
Three others are trying to make India their home.
Those involved in these cross-border marriages include theatre actors, writers and musicians.
Nida Ahmed (name changed), another Pakistani artist who has made India her home, said: "I have set up my home and have great friends here. For three months at a time, I can forget that my status is temporary. But then at the end of three months, I have to pull out my ticket and passport and leave."
"On the other hand if I apply for a resident permit, I can`t leave at all. Why should it have to be this or that?" she asked.
"I just want this (Indo-Pakistan relations) to become better. We function day-to-day with blinders on because it`s too tough a situation to get bogged down by. But there has to be some letting go and relaxation," Ahmed said.
"Restrictive work opportunities" is another area of complaint from these artists.
And with their numbers growing, these couples are contemplating floating a lobby group to get visas more easily.
Indian matrimonial websites too have opened franchises in Pakistan.
Shaadi.com runs a franchise from Karachi and has quite a few Pakistanis registered looking for love on the other side of Wagah.
PTI
Even when cross-border tensions were peaking in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, artists committed "the act of insanity" and crossed over the border, giving love a chance.
The sailing has already smooth for Sania and Shoaib, who had little trouble getting visas unlike many others who had to run from pillar to post to get visas or to enable their spouses (usually husbands) to visit their respective countries.
A famous Pakistani artist who found her soulmate in India, said, "Me marrying an Indian or him marrying a Pakistani is an act of courage and of huge historical relevance much more important than any ministerial exchange, wouldn`t you think?"
Sana Khan (name changed), who married a reputed artist from eastern India, sees her husband and herself as "cultural ambassadors".
She pointed out: "This is potentially an interesting trend in future relations."
Sania and Shoaib will perhaps never be able to articulate the significance of such marriages like Khan.
Khan`s decision to marry an Indian wasn`t easy.
"My parents are originally from India, so it was too much of a reversal of history for them, that I would move back. They have `explained away` India from their minds for psychological reasons and to hear of me moving back, of course, filled them with trepidation," she said.
"Everyone in their right minds knows that an Indo-Pakistan marriage can be a logistical nightmare and wouldn`t wish that for their child. It`s a very strong political divide.
"Though for the couples concerned, the marriage and the move is a natural enough thing to do if you care for each other for society at large it`s an act of insanity," she said.
Khan met her husband when she was in India for an artists` residency in 2001. The marriage took place recently.
Apart from Indian and Pakistani society not accepting such marriages (and landlords refusing to rent out homes to such couples), it is always the wife who has to move to her spouse`s country.
"In all Indo-Pakistan marriages, the men, whether Indian or Pakistani, are the ones who have a harder time getting visas. So the women end up moving to the other country," Khan pointed out.
Two other Pakistani artists and a journalist have married Indians and moved to India.
Three others are trying to make India their home.
Those involved in these cross-border marriages include theatre actors, writers and musicians.
Nida Ahmed (name changed), another Pakistani artist who has made India her home, said: "I have set up my home and have great friends here. For three months at a time, I can forget that my status is temporary. But then at the end of three months, I have to pull out my ticket and passport and leave."
"On the other hand if I apply for a resident permit, I can`t leave at all. Why should it have to be this or that?" she asked.
"I just want this (Indo-Pakistan relations) to become better. We function day-to-day with blinders on because it`s too tough a situation to get bogged down by. But there has to be some letting go and relaxation," Ahmed said.
"Restrictive work opportunities" is another area of complaint from these artists.
And with their numbers growing, these couples are contemplating floating a lobby group to get visas more easily.
Indian matrimonial websites too have opened franchises in Pakistan.
Shaadi.com runs a franchise from Karachi and has quite a few Pakistanis registered looking for love on the other side of Wagah.
PTI
Indo-Pak tug of war over Sania Mirza
Karachi: A new war has broken out between traditional rivals India and Pakistan. It is neither over Kashmir nor on the cricketing field. The tussle is over India’s tennis icon Sania Mirza’s future: whether she will play for India or represent her sasural, Pakistan, on court.
Click for full coverage of Sania-Shoaib affair»
While Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has issued a resounding appeal to Sania to play for Pakistan, the same has been rejected by the All India Tennis Association (AITA).
PTF chief Dilawar Abbas has said that India’s tennis sensation Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan in international tennis tournaments after entering into wedlock with cricketer Shoaib Malik.
“It is great news for our tennis community that Sania Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for us in future. She has a great future ahead and we would be delighted if she plays for Pakistan,” a leading newspaper quoted Abbas, as saying.
“Asian women traditionally follow their husbands which is why I’m hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib to play for Pakistan,” he added.
However, All India Tennis Association (AITA) has issued a statement confirming her participation for India till the 2012 Olympics.
"Sania Mirza and her parents have informed AITA that she will continue to play for India after her marriage with Shoaib Malik," AITA secretary-general Anil Khanna said.
"She has confirmed to be a part of the Indian team in the 2010 Commonwealth Games at Delhi (October 2010), XVI Asian Games at Guangzhou, China (November 2010), 2011 Fed Cup (February 2011), 2012 Olympics at London (July/August 2012)."
Sania has, however, already made it clear that she would continue representing India even after her marriage. Talking to Zee News, her father Imran Mirza said that she would surely play for India and not Pakistan.
Abbas said that even if Sania decides to continue playing for India, he hopes that she would associate herself with Pakistan tennis at some point of time.
“She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can inspire them to become world class players. We would hope that Sania would lend a helping hand to women’s tennis in Pakistan,” he said.
Abbas even suggested that Sania could team up with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq on the mixed-doubles circuit.
“Both Sania and Aisam are really good doubles players. I believe that their team would not just achieve great results internationally but will also help bridge the gap between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Sania, however, has made it clear that she would continue representing India at the international level even after marrying the former Pakistan captain later this month.
Click for full coverage of Sania-Shoaib affair»
-Agencies inputs
Sania should play for Pak after marriage
Karachi: Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) chief Dilawar Abbas has said that India’s tennis sensation Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan in international tennis tournaments after entering into wedlock with cricketer Shoaib Malik.
“It is great news for our tennis community that Sania Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for us in future. She has a great future ahead and we would be delighted if she plays for Pakistan,” a leading newspaper quoted Abbas, as saying.
“Asian women traditionally follow their husbands which is why I’m hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib to play for Pakistan,” he added.
Sania has already made it clear that she would continue representing India even after her marriage. Talking to Zeenews, her father Imran Mirza said that she would surely play for India and not Pakistan.
Abbas said that even if Sania decides to continue playing for India, he hopes that she would associate herself with Pakistan tennis at some point of time.
“She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can inspire them to become world class players. We would hope that Sania would lend a helping hand to women’s tennis in Pakistan,” he said.
Abbas even suggested that Sania could team up with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq on the mixed-doubles circuit.
“Both Sania and Aisam are really good doubles players. I believe that their team would not just achieve great results internationally but will also help bridge the gap between India and Pakistan,” he said.
News regarding Sania marrying Shoaib were splashed in the media earlier this week, but controversy surrounded the sports couple soon after with reports of Shoaib already being married to a Hyderabad based girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.
MA Siddiqui, Ayesha’s father, had alleged that Shoiab had married his daughter over telephone in June 2002.
Siddiqui has even threatened to take legal action against Shoaib for marrying a second girl without divorcing his wife.
“As per law, Ayesha will be the first wife and Sania will be second. I want divorce for my daughter. I will seek legal recourse. I will sue Shoiab because he has wronged us,” Siddiqui told media persons.
However, Shoaib has denied the charges, saying he was only engaged to Ayesha and the marriage was called off because of problems between the two families.
Pakistan media abuzz with 'Shoania' news
Karachi, April 1 (IANS) The forthcoming wedding of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and India's tennis star Sania Mirza has stirred media frenzy here with TV channels and newspapers full of juicy gossips.
On Thursday,'The News' - Pakistan's mainstream English language newspaper - coined the name'Shoania' for the pair on the lines of Brangelina that refers to the Hollywood supercouple consisting of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Abhiwarya for the Bollywood couple of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai.
There were stories and pictures of Shoaib and Sania splashed in all major newspapers while the TV channels have been airing non-stop stuff, since the story of their marriage broke a few days back.
Even businessmen have joined the party as they are getting orders for hundreds of thousands of T-shirts featuring Shoaib and Sania ahead of their wedding that is expected to take place next week.
On Thursday,'The News' - Pakistan's mainstream English language newspaper - coined the name'Shoania' for the pair on the lines of Brangelina that refers to the Hollywood supercouple consisting of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Abhiwarya for the Bollywood couple of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai.
There were stories and pictures of Shoaib and Sania splashed in all major newspapers while the TV channels have been airing non-stop stuff, since the story of their marriage broke a few days back.
Even businessmen have joined the party as they are getting orders for hundreds of thousands of T-shirts featuring Shoaib and Sania ahead of their wedding that is expected to take place next week.
Sania Mirza to Marry Shoaib Malik on April 10
Sania Mirza ready to marry Shoiab Malik – We have posted earlier about wedding proposal of Sania Mirza with Shoaib Malik which is in April, 2010. Now, that latest news is all about date of marriage. That’s on April 10 and Shoab’s family will be arriving to Hyderabad on April 7.
Shoaib was suspended for a year. Last year, this couple met and also there were rumors circulating that because of the relationship with Shoaib Malik, Sania Mirza dropped herself being married with Sohrab Mirza. Shoaib family has shown great interest about this wedding and later Sania’s family has accepted the same.
Sania says that she has been looking for glare since longtime and needs privacy, especially now which she herself considers them as special moments in her life.
Shoaib has also confirmed about their wedding news. He says he can understand what it takes to be an international sportsperson and he will be supporting Sania in her career till she plays.
Shoaib was suspended for a year. Last year, this couple met and also there were rumors circulating that because of the relationship with Shoaib Malik, Sania Mirza dropped herself being married with Sohrab Mirza. Shoaib family has shown great interest about this wedding and later Sania’s family has accepted the same.
Sania says that she has been looking for glare since longtime and needs privacy, especially now which she herself considers them as special moments in her life.
Shoaib has also confirmed about their wedding news. He says he can understand what it takes to be an international sportsperson and he will be supporting Sania in her career till she plays.
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