Junaid Miandad’s Valima held in Karachi By Mirza Iqbal
KARACHI: Over 12,00 people from various walks of life from across the country attended the Valima reception for Javed Miandad’s son Junaid at the posh PC’s Ballrooms on Thursday evening amidst red alert security arrangements. Junaid and bride Mahrukh wed in Dubai recently. The VVIP security arrangements gave birth to wide speculations about the possible presence of bride’s father Dawood Ibrahim among the guests at the gathering, which was segregated for men and women. However, no one claimed to have met or seen Dawood Ibrahim (or India’s Most Wanted Man) at the function that lasted several hours. Scores of police and rangers vehicles had been engaged in ensuring a constant vigil outside the hotel. Every who’s who of the social, business and sports world was present at the programme. However, no government official or dignitary showed up at the function except for special secretary to prime minister Dr Waqar Masood. None from the top brass of Pakistan Cricket Board was present either, except for two Lahore-based board officials Asad Mustafa and Subhan Ahmed. Besides, none of the present Pakistan team attended the reception. But a large number of former Test cricketers and other sports personalities were there. A large number of people representing business and industry were also there. Media, particularly press photographers, was completely barred from the reception. They were stopped 25 meters from the hotel precincts.
An hour before the start of the programme the two halls were minutely screened for security. The guests could enter these halls only after passing through two metal detector doors, including one that was placed just before the entrance to the Ballroom. The use of cell phones was strictly prohibited. The bride was attaired in a lovely dress. Miandad himself was in black. Javed’s three brothers—-Sohail, Bashir and Anwar—-were alongsieie him welcoming the guests. The guests were served dinner on the hotel’s rooftop. Those present there included Abu Shamim Ariff, former cricket board chiefs Waqar Hasan and Lt-Gen (retd) Tauqir Zia, Pakistan cricket team selector Wasim Bari, former Test cricketers Zaheer Abbas, Iqbal Qasim, Manzoor Illahi, Moin Khan, Tasleem Arif, Rashid Khan, Sadiq Mohammad, Saleem Yousuf, squash champion Jahangir Khan, hockey Olympian Islahuddin, Samiullah, Hanif Khan. Prominent politicians included Senators Anwar Baig, SM Zafar, Makhdoom Jamiluzzaman. Speaking informally to journalists at the end of the programme, Javed Miandad said that the reception was a part of his son’s wedding celebrations. “It’s a private programme and our personal matter,” he said while expressing his anger at the Indian media for creating unnecessary hype about the marriage.
