Punjab's ex-CM Shahbaz Sharif confirms Marriage with Tehmina Durrani
Pakistan Times Foreign Desk

NEW YORK (US): Pakistan Muslim League [Nawaz] President and ex-Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has confirmed that he had got married to Tehmina Durrani. This is the third marriage for both of them.

The marriage was the talk of the town. There was all sorts of commentary by the people, some even remarked that it could be a new turn for Shahbaz Sharif’s political life keeping in mind the connections of Tehmina Durrani in influential quarters. They believe that she would be a powerful advisor of Shahbaz Sharif in the future.

On the other hand, there are people, especially anchored in the Muslim League, who view that by taking the step, which they believe would not have the approval of Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz has compromised his political career.

Already, Shahbaz Sharif had left Jeddah on a one-way ticket, never to return to Saudi Arabia. The people close to the Sharif family believe that Shahbaz Sharif would not have taken into confidence his family, especially his wife and children.

Quite Close

The report of the marriage did not sit well on the Muslim League quarters. However, most of them knew that both Tehmina and Shahbaz had been quite close for the last four years.

In those years, Ms Durrani had been successful in exercising influence on Shahbaz Sharif even in his political affairs. She even helped him write articles and press statements for newspapers.

Family Reaction?

The reaction of Shahbaz Sharif’s family is not known. However, they must be feeling devastated on hearing the news, especially when Begum Nusrat Shahbaz is to undergo a surgery in a couple of days in London where Hamza is already present.

It has been learnt that the wedding that took place in Dubai was a well-attended function as far as Durrani family is concerned, doing all they could to make a colourful event.

Of Tehmina Durrani

Tehmina Durrani is currently associated with an NGO that works for the rehabilitation of the shattered wives. Once, she also took care of acid-inflicted wife of Bilal Khar, who she even took abroad, capturing a lot of limelight in the media.

Tehmina Durrani first married Governor Punjab Ghulam Mustafa Khar’s PSO Anees. Later on, she tied the knot with Ghulam Mustafa Khar.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif’s first marriage with his cousin, Begum Nusrat was contracted in 1973 with the approval of his father late Mian Sharif.

Of this wedlock, he has two sons, Hamza and Salman and three daughters. All of them but Salman are married. Begum Nusrat Shahbaz is a housewife.

Shahbaz Sharif contracted second marriage with Aaliya Honey in 1993-94. At that time he was living in London. She bore him a daughter, Khadija. Certain quarters say, many issues and legal requirements were not met in their divorce.

'My Feudal Lord'

On the other hand, Tehmina Durrani first married Anees, who later on entered into oil business. Her second marriage with Ghulam Mustafa Khar went through various phases and ended in a divorce. She has four children of this marriage.

Tehmina Durrani is the daughter of former Governor State Bank and former Chairman PIA S U Durrani. She also had very intimate relations with veteran philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and she has mentioned it in detail in her book, 'My Feudal Lord' authored by her after her marriage with Khar.

Now-a-days she is working for a human rights organisation and proceeded to London a few weeks ago. After his final medical test in the US, Mian Shahbaz Sharif is expected to reach London.

Peace of Mind

Commenting on his third marriage, Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that he got married for peace of mind. However, according to informed sources, it could not be confirmed how the Sharif family would react to this marriage. They say, ‘’when his father Mian Sharif was alive, all decisions were made as per his consent’’.

Some media reports suggest, many very important political decisions are still expected from Mian Shahbaz Sharif in the near future as former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif continues to be an archrival of the present government whereas contacts are stated to have been established between certain government officials and Mian Shahbaz Sharif.●