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

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.

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.

Sania Mirza Hot Photos

Sania Mirza Hot Photos, Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, 28-year-old is engaged to Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, 23-year-old and the two will soon be tying the knot.


Sania Mirza to Marry Shoaib Malik news was confirmed to the media by Imran Mirza, the father of Sania Mirza Later, Shoaib Malik also confirms on his Twitter page that they will get married in April 2010. Marriage take place in India and reception take place at pakistan. Both will settle in Dubai after there Marriage.

Sania Mirza Engagement Photos

Sania Mirza Engagement Photos, LAHORE: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza are going to tie the knot in April, Sania’s father Imran Mirza confirmed to media

The two sports stars have been in an affair for the last six months, which had led to Sania’s earlier engagement to break.

Sources said that the mother of Shoaib Malik went to Indian city of Hyderabad Deccan where she met with the family of Sania Mirza and finalized Shoaib and Sania’s marriage.

This may be recalled that earlier engagements of both Malik and Mirza had come to an end.

Malik was engaged with Ayesha Siddiqui also from Hyderabad Deccan on June 3, 2002 while Sania on the other side was engaged with childhood friend Sohrab Khan which ended in January 2010.

The wedding ceremony of Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza will take place in India while the valima reception will be hosted by Malik on April 16 or 17 in Lahore.


“I desire to get married soon. You will soon get some good news but it depends on my family. I fully expect to get married this year,” Shoaib had said in a recent interaction with the media.

Asked if it would be an arranged marriage, he said, “No can say what will happen, but it will take place with the concurrence of my family.”

Sania’s Wedding in India, reception in Pakistan

HYDERABAD: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, two of South Asia’s best known sports personalities, are to marry in April, the players said on Tuesday.

On Tuesday night, Sania Mirza appeared before the media and officially announced the date of her marriage – April 11. The reception will be held on April 15.

Sania said she and Shoaib will settle in Dubai after marriage. Sania revealed that she met Shoaib for the first time 6-7 years ago.

However, the tennis star made it clear that she play for India while Shoaib will play for Pakistan.

“I will decide on career course after playing in Olympics in 2012,” said Sania.

“I’m very happy, we’re all very happy,” Mirza told reporters in her home town of Hyderabad.

“It’s still a few days away or a few weeks away.”

Malik, an all-rounder who captained Pakistan between 2007and 2009, told television channels in Pakistan: “We both are also happy and it’s happening next month”.

The couple will settle in Dubai after their marriage, Mirza said.

To a question, Sania said she would support both India and her husband in a match between two rivals.

The 23-year-old 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 92nd.

Malik, 28, has been fighting a 12-month ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board for poor performance and indiscipline.

Shoaib Malik-Sania Mirza Wedding On April 11

All set to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, India’s tennis queen Sania Mirza on Tuesday broke her silence and confirmed the news of her marriage to the frenzy of media gathering which was stationed outside her house for a reaction.

Flying back to Hyderabad after a lightning visit to Delhi where she secured visa from Pakistan High Commission for going to Lahore for a reception, a visibly happy Sania was all smiles and accompanied her father Imran Mirza while addressing the scribes present outside her house.

“I and my family are very happy to announce that I am getting married to Shoaib Malik. Inshaallah the nikah (marriage) will take place on 11th of April in Hyderabad and the walima (reception ) is on 15th in Pakistan,” Sania told reporters.

The 23-year-old said she would be lying if she did not expect the development to be a shock but both of them and their families were happy about the marriage. She said she had received messages of best wishes from several people both in India and Pakistan.

Sania Mirza however, refrained herself from adding anything on the furor which the news of her marriage has caused. “We are getting married.

We are not also making any political statement or anything on (Indo-Pak) relations. It’s a simple matter. We are getting married.

We are very, very happy and our families are very happy,” she said.
On the question about since when was she dating Shoaib, Sania said the matter was personal. “I’m not going to answer nor will Shoaib be comfortable answering personal questions,” she said.

She further informed that after marriage, she would settle in Dubai. “Shoaib is a resident if Dubai which I will also become. I will continue to have the passport of India, though. I will continue playing for India and Shoaib will play for Pakistan,” she said.
Sania said though she will miss her friends & family, since Dubai has ‘so many Pakistanis and Indians living there, I would feel better.’

Asked who she would support in case of an India-Pakistan cricket match, she said, “I will obviously support India but I will also support my husband.”

To a question, she said she would continue to hold Indian passport a