• Home

Miandad’s son to tie knot on the 23rd in Dubai

This was confirmed by Miandad from his hometown Karachi late Monday night when Khaleej Times spoke to him over phone, putting to rest all speculations in this regard.

"The date for the marriage has been set for July 23 and it would be held in Dubai. Later in early August, we will have a big function in Karachi where all our relatives, friends, well-wishers and high-profile figures will be invited," said Miandad, who is the son-in-law of a leading business family of Pakistan in whose businesses Dawood is believed to have invested heavily.

Dawood, once Mumbai's most dreaded underworld don, is an accused in the 1992 bomb blasts in Mumbai that left over 250 people dead and hundreds injured. On India's list of most wanted people, Dawood has been in hiding since the blasts. The Indian government has accused Pakistan of providing shelter to him somewhere in Karachi — a charge vehemently denied by the Pakistan government.

Because of the charges levelled against Dawood, the impending union of Junaid and Mahrukh — who are currently studying in London — had gained international limelight.

Almost every day, there have been reports in the Press about the marriage having been solemnised secretly in Dubai, Hong Kong or Karachi. Some of the reports even went to the extent of naming high profile Bollywood figures having been in attendance. There had also been speculations whether Dawood attended the marriage ceremony or not.

"I always knew that being a former captain and cricketer of Pakistan and having been around in international cricket for so long, it would be difficult for us to keep this marriage a secret. In fact, I never wanted to keep this marriage a private affair, but I do hope the media will refrain from any further speculations," said Miandad who has scored 8,832 Test runs in 124 games for Pakistan and had been a member of the Pakistan cricket team that won the World Cup in 1992.

"I just want the media to remember that this is a union of my (eldest) son and a well-educated and well-mannered girl whom we are pleased to accept as our daughter-in-law," he said, adding: "Marriages are personal affairs and should be allowed to remain that. We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of now."

The cricket legend, however, declined to comment when asked about the list of invitees for the marriage in Dubai.

Miandad had recently been refused a visit visa by India, a country where he has a large number of fans and well wishers.

• UAE