Reham’s welcome return....but

All speculations about tension in Imran-Reham relationship died down on Sunday when she made a strong presence in Lahore, in what could be a new beginning in her short political career.
She looked confident and composed as she led a women’s rally for the PTI candidate Aleem Khan in NA-122. But, is this a temporary appearance or she is now back in politics?
Like any Pakistani citizen, she too has a right to take part in politics and if she becomes party office-bearer, she can enter Parliament. Yes, at present she has limitations because of her dual nationality but still has the right to play a role. The only question is, why she earlier decided to stay away and why Imran issued a statement that she would not have any role in the PTI’s politics.
But, she quit politics and decided to stay away from any PTI programs amid criticism of her alleged overexposure. The criticism came both from inside and outside the PTI circles, which for many was quite uncalled for but it did raise the question about contradiction in Imran’s own stand.
What has made the couple to change their mind? It is certainly not because of NA-122, or importance of Lahore that the couple took a “U-turn” and she is back in full time politics. There is something more to it but whatever the reason it certainly draw media attention and on Sunday, TV channels did separate packages on Reham’s re-entry.
Interestingly, her re-entry into politics has coincided with center to right, PTI’s “long term” alliance with conservative religious party, Jamaat-e-Islami. JI is not against women’s role in politics but perhaps differs on the role of women in politics. This all together is a different subject and need more detailed analysis.
Imran by bringing Reham back in politics certainly dispelled the impression that there was something wrong in their “relationship” and the two looked quite happy and confident, though she did not take the center stage.
It was particularly

important for the two after a highly reputed journalist and editor gave a story about the alleged tension in their relationship and also stood by, despite categorical denial from the two.
Understandably, speculations about their relationship had disturbed the couple particularly since it has come from one of the senior most journalists.
Reham’s last political appearance was during the Haripur’s by-election, which the PTI lost but for the first time she not only address the public meeting but also went door to door to seek support for the party.
Earlier, her presence was felt during NA-246, elections in Karachi, which again PTI had lost to MQM, for many reasons.
Ms Reham, time and again had denied having any desire to play active role in politics for many reasons including her dual nationality, taking care of family and her social work.
As far as I know she is not even a formal member of the party and thus her presence, participation in party’s political activities is confined as spouse of party Chairman, Imran Khan.
In the past she became controversial because of her overexposure and the alleged protocol provided to her by the PTI’s KP government.
However, within the party the main criticism was over the negation of Imran’s own political philosophy against the “politics of legacy.”
There has been an increasing role of the politics of legacy and now many top politicians have brought their children in politics even if they are not interested in politics, as many of them see “politics” not as a mission but as a business to “earn more.”
There is nothing in legacy, provided if your family has interest in politics and secondly, if they come through a process like in the West.
Earlier, the journalist-turn-politician, Reham surprised many when about a year back she got married to cricketer-turn-politician Imran Khan. There was huge media hype given to their marriage.
When she got married to Imran, Reham was a host, which she even continued after marriage but it was after she started her social and political activities that she came under criticism, not only on the social media but also in the party.
Time and again she clarified that she has no intention to play a leading role in PTI politics, but when she participated in some PTI’s public meetings and rallies, she become center of criticism.
Ultimately, after Haripur the couple finally decided that she would not take part in PTI politics nor would attend its public meetings and rallies.
Thus, her appearance on Sunday may once again generate a new debate as what led the couple to change their mind.
Will she have limited role or may now have a more pro-active role. The couple appearance would certainly help in dispelling all speculations that there is any tension between them, which was quite important for them. Secondly, Reham certainly can make some impact on women voters.
However, what would be more interesting would be whether the party high command would like her to play a more pro-active role.
If the party asked her to become a formal member of the party and looked her as her role in the Parliament in future, she has to quit her other nationality, which till now she wants to retain.
The PTI in its politics has made many “U-turns,” keeping the ground realities and is more or less doing the status quo politics, but one thing they are still discouraging at the national level, is the politics of legacy.
The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang.