Cricket legend and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan sparked intense speculation after he told a leading Indian daily last week that he was open to the idea of a third marriage.
While Khan told the daily that he did not have anyone in mind, news of his impending marriage began to make the rounds on social networks. Dunya News also reported that Khan had tied the knot with Maryam, a divorcee who is related to Pakistan's Maneka family.
On 12 July, PTI Information Secretary Naeemul Haque dismissed the reports as being baseless. "These reports are baseless and his family members aren't even aware of any such decision made by him," he told the Tribune.
Rumours about IK getting married are totally wrong. He is spending time with his boys in England and will be back in Pakistan on Sunday.
— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) July 12, 2016
Khan also took to Twitter to deny the reports. "Rumours about my marriage are absolutely baseless. I have not gotten married. When I do I will announce and celebrate publicly," he said.
Senior journalist Arif Nizami, who broke the news of Imran's second marriage - to scribe Reham Khan - has said that the reports of his third marriage are mere media speculation. However, it is interesting to note that Imran had also denied the reports of his second marriage, when the reports first made the rounds.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Imran was asked about his third marriage. He had then said:
"Of course. It's not in my blood to give up. But it takes a lot. There's nothing worse than divorce, I tell you. It's one of the worst things that can happen to a human being. It doesn't matter who initiates it, it's a terrible experience. So I would be a bit more careful".
"Marrying at 60 is not like marrying at 30. The great thing about life is that it's unpredictable; you never know what's going to happen tomorrow".
Rumours abt my marriage absolutely baseless. I have not gotten married. When I do I will announce & celebrate publicly.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 12, 2016