Why Imran was in the wrong

ISLAMABAD: ‘My marriage’ was not the title of any of my columns; it is one of the chapters in a book, ‘Imran Khan’ written by Imran Khan.
Was narrating part of his personal life as he did in the book in the public interest? Why did he get irritated when an indirect question was put to him by a journalist about his second divorce? The journalist deserved an answer and not a reminder of his ‘auqat.’ Would Imran have reacted in the same manner had this question been asked by a foreign journalist?
I found the book and this chapter interesting and that is why I was surprised over his outburst. For instance, I never knew that at the age of 17 or 18, his late mother’s last advice to him was, “not to get married with any western girl” as she may find it difficult to adjust in our society.
It was after reading his own lines as to why he got married late and why he normally avoided it. Once his father decided an arranged marriage and took him to his friend’s house to see a girl after a proposal came for him.
In the same book, he discussed his and his first wife Jemima’s relationship and how they met at a dinner party.
He then also discussed his nine-year married life with her and his political work affected his personal life which in the end resulted in divorce.
Were they not personal and private issues and it was not a book on Imran Khan by any other writer but one written by him?
So why was there a sharp reaction against the media when it came to the second divorce with Reham which could not last for 10 months?
Reham, who is in London, though avoided answer on her divorce and at least showed courage in facing the media and did not get irritated when asked a more direct question. Perhaps, the journalistic experience worked but she did send a strong message to Imran Khan when she talked about “long term” relationship, a clear reference to her break-up within a year.
Interestingly, the first marriage was more successful than the second one and without any doubt quite painful for them in their respective ways.
One can understand the trauma which he must be going through and also his ex-wife, Reham Khan, and hopes they would soon come out of this difficult period in their own way. Yes, marriage or divorce is personal matter provided that politicians want to keep it to themselves and do not try to play with the media. The question by all standards was relevant as well as timely since it was Imran’s first public appearance after the divorce. Why did Imran choose the media for making an official announcement about his wedding in January 2015? Was it not a personal affair? Ten months later what was the need to tweet from his spokesman to announce the divorce? Was it not a matter for Imran at that particular day? He even hinted at his marriage plan during the “dharna.” So, when you yourself picked the media for all these activities, why you overreacted when a journalist asked a simple question.
After the wedding there had been talk-shows and programmes on their wedding and how the couple was “taking care” of each other, etc. The two disclosed how they came close to each other, who proposed and how. Why a “shut-up” call was not given to the media at that time? Why were the journalists not shown their “auqat”? It was so because everything was going well.
Yes, there are some ethics, which need to be followed in cases of “privacy.” Firstly, the purpose should not be character assassination. Secondly, in giving news about any aspect of private live of any politician or public representative, it is important that the news must be accurate with undeniable facts. Thirdly, in cases of such nature it is always important that the version of the concerned person or persons must be acquired or at least, news must have more than one source.
Now, whether veteran journalist Arif Nizami did the right thing or not when he gave this “scoop” like he did when he gave the story of their marriage, too. Did he deserve “Shahbash” or the kind of words used by Imran against a young journalist?
In the last few years, a number of young politicians got married and also some veteran got married for the second and third time. Why were there not stories about them? The answer is simple as they never wanted their personal life to be highlighted in the first place.
But, here is a case of Pakistan’s most charismatic politician after Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. His past and present all attract the media the world over. There are not many books on any individual politician, which had even discussed his private life as among the most attractive celebrity of his cricketing years, his bachelor life, his outlook, dress, style all discussed in the media.
What happened in the press conference, could have been avoided had the organisers alerted the media that no question should be asked about his divorce.
Secondly, he should have politely said, “no comment.” But, he gave two-minute lecture on morality and then insulted the journalist by using the term “auqat.” Journalists did the right thing by not going into the argument, although they had the right to ask question and he had the right not to answer.
The question is who was on the high moral ground at that time. If the cricketer-turn-politician himself had written about his personal life including his first marriage and divorce, how come this time it became an issue of cultural values and traditions.
However, his reaction would not have made as big news as was his overreaction. But, what surprised me most was some reaction from our own colleagues that the journalist deserved such a reaction from Imran. One of them even said, “He deserved a slap.” No, sir, he deserved an answer.
Now, how should the journalist report “privacy” and private life of a politician and public figure who represent the people of Pakistan?
(1) There should not be character assassination of any public figure.
(2) The news should be accurate and as far as possible have multiple sources.
(3) It should not look like “agenda setting” or as paid content.
(4) Since private and personal matters are sensitive, journalists must be careful in selections of language and expressions.
(5) Journalists must read defamation law and privacy law while investigating any such story which could hit personal interests.
As I have written a few days back, this story may not die down easily as stakes of both Imran and Reham are high. Till this day no one knows whether it was divorce or Khula. Some even suggested that they had agreed on divorce but still awaited the final settlement.
Imran’s books or books on Imran were bestsellers. Will Reham opt for her first book or will Imran’s side of story come first.
Imran has to keep his posture composed as this story may not die with the passage of time, particularly if Reham decides to come into politics. There can be more stories and questions about his second break-up.
Thus, Imran was in the wrong when he gave the “shut-up” call to the journalist. “Auqat” is a very harsh word and he was lucky that the journalist did not react and gave an answer to him. But, the question which he had asked deserved the answer, which unfortunately did not come.
The writer is a senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang.