The honeymoon period for newly weds Imran and Reham hasn’t lasted too long. While the PTI chief dealt with protesting parents at Peshawar’s Army Public School, his wife Reham has embroiled herself in a bitter war of words with her former husband psychiatrist Dr Ijaz Rehman over claims of domestic violence.
Imran’s new wife, Reham, 41, said she had been a victim of domestic violence during her marriage to the 54-year-old psychiatrist with whom she has three children, Daily Mail reported.
However, talking exclusively to The Express Tribune, Rehman rubbished Reham’s claims point by point.
Below is the entire rejoinder issued by Rehman:
Allegation 1: Reham was subjected to domestic violence, which was the main cause of your divorce and your marriage breakdown
“I reject these allegations strongly, this is a lie,” Rehman said sternly.
“I have never lifted hands on anyone nor have I ever been involved in any kind of domestic violence in any shape or form,” he asserted.
“While I was married (to Reham Khan), I always looked after my children and wife very well. I provided every kind of luxury to them and I looked after them in every sense. My ex-wife had every kind of liberty and no restriction of any kind. I am surprised that these allegations were made,” he said.
Allegation 2: The couple’s marriage was a horrible experience for Reham.
“We (Reham and I) have lot of common friends in Hull, where we lived together when we were married. They are all very highly intellectual people. They are highly-qualified consultants. Go and ask them – they will vouch for me. Ask them if I ever was unfair and cruel to my children and ex-wife? I don’t know what it is that she describes as a ‘horrible experience’,” the psychiatrist responded.
Allegation 3: Domestic violence a reality during their marriage.
Responding to this question, Rehman said domestic violence is a serious offence and can lead to conviction in the UK.
“I work in a very senior position in NHS and If I was convicted or charged or found involved in domestic violence in any sense then I wouldn’t have been able to practice,” he said, refuting claims of conviction.
“The Criminal Record Bureau in this country gives clearance to all doctors every year enabling them to practice. CBR has the full police record of each and every individual who has been convicted. Only those people who are clean and have no criminal record are allowed to practice. I have no criminal record in England, not of any kind,” he asserted.
Terming claims of a journalist that Reham was domestically violated “absurd,” Rehman questioned, “I am asking what this investigation is and where and how it was conducted and I am considering my options.”
Allegation 4: Reham Khan and Imran Khan said after separation, Reham faced difficulties and had to bring up two kids on her own and that you did not pay maintenance.
“Let me explain that it’s not the law of the jungle in the UK. Laws are very strict here. Everyone knows about the divorce settlement law in this country. This settlement is decided by the judge, its not only about financial division of assets of the parties, but also about other needs and requirements, who is earning and who is not. The judge also decides on how many kids there are what are their needs. The amount of the money is decided by the judge not by the individuals and that depends to how many kids are involved and what the income is.”
Further, he continued the child support agency was involved in their case and the job of the CSA is to ensure that fathers pay the maintenance.
“That’s the whole point of CSA. Not paying children maintenance is a criminal offence and I could lose my license to practice for not paying the maintenance and I could have lost my job,” he added.
“Courts can also order to attach your salary with this payment of maintenance if you do not pay the maintenance regularly so there is no way you wouldn’t pay for the maintenance of your children. I can confirm that I paid for the maintenance of my children through CSA all along and a substantial amount,” Rehman asserted.
“Of course, you can ask CSA. I have my bank record. She will have the bank record too reflecting these payments. I am a senior doctor in the UK at a responsible position. I have to follow court orders. I have never broken the law. I am a law abiding citizen. I have nothing to answer to.”
Rehman further said despite not wanting to be involved in any controversy, he will defend himself and the truth.
“I have a right to defend myself and I will defend myself to the end. I am a very private person and at this stage, I don’t want to get into any controversy. I don’t wish to engage in any mudslinging. But being a private person doesn’t mean that I am a weak person,” he concluded.