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People in Pakistan call me Dabangg like Sallu, says Reham Khan

People in Pakistan call me Dabangg like Sallu, says Reham Khan

Reham calls her marriage to IK a mistake and entreats women to speak up and not "hide the reality of [their] homes"
18 Mar, 2016

Between statements about misogyny and the need for gender empowerment in Pakistan, TV host and human rights activist Reham Khan fielded several questions about her 10-month marriage with her now ex-husband, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

Also read: Imran-Reham split up, and everyone has something to say about it

Speaking on the second day of the two-day India Today Conclave 2016 at the session, Line of Peace: Sisters Under the Skin Empowering Women across Borders, Reham plainly referred to her marriage as "a mistake", reports India Today:

"We all commit mistakes, and so did I. The world is changing, I did not marry each time for a certain status a man has. We might profess to be modern, but we still may not end up listening to the woman. One thing I'm really proud of is the way my son is raised, he's a 22-year-old boy who gives me immense pride."

Reham was joined on stage by actor/activist/politician Gul Panag and India Today's Simi Pasha, who moderated the session.

Drawing from her experience, Reham entreated women to always speak up. "There is one thing that binds us together, which is the 'hushed silence'. We hide the reality of our homes," she remarked. "Inequality, misogyny starts at home," she later added.

Reham further said, "I am a woman, I look like a woman, I behave like a woman. But people in Pakistan call me Dabangg like Sallu," referring to the iconic cop character played by Salman Khan in 2010.

Read more: Reham, Ayyan among most 'sought after' people in Pakistan

When asked about covering her head, she said her marriage with Imran Khan had nothing to do with her change in appearance:

"I loved meeting the real people of Pakistan, people in Balochistan, people in south Punjab. That is when I 'changed my appearance because I love wearing the chadar."

"I landed in Pakistan in December 2012, just for a few months to cover the elections. I went there for a personal reason to look after my mother after my father passed away. It was a gap year for me, I thought it'd be good for my CV, I was bored with my job [as] senior broadcast journalist for the BBC, I was coming home after a long shift and doing dishes in the darkness, and I just wanted excitement and boy, did I get it in Pakistan.

"What i loved in Pakistan is meeting the real people of Pakistan. I travelled through most of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all the way to the border with Afghanistan and Balochistan and South Punjab. And I just like the way people dress up. I quite like the traditional chadar. I do that because it is the Pakistani identity, It's the Pakhtun identity to wear a white chadar. It has nothing to do with an appearance for people.

"My Identity is fluid, I feel more comfortable wearing a chadar, people communicate with me better. I sit on the floor and eat makai ki roti and sarson ka saag with them and they like it. Then when i talk to them, it is far easier for me to tell them how to improve their lifestyle.

"Gender empowerment is considered in isolation, unless we improve the per capita income for every man and woman and the future of every child in Pakistan and India. [Otherwise], we'll just be doing other seminars and workshops, and ticking the boxes. That's why I change my appearance, not because I married someone."

Comments

Javid Shirazi Mar 18, 2016 05:46pm
Wish her happiness in life, which has so far eluded her.
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farid Mar 18, 2016 06:03pm
Oh, God save our country and our politics.
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Abdulrazzak Mar 18, 2016 06:23pm
To be honest, she always sound so fake whether I see her talking in a video or read her words in the media, and people can see thru that.
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Shahzad Ahmed Mar 18, 2016 06:27pm
Good job Reham jee
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Rida Mar 18, 2016 07:18pm
Way to go Reham, keep it up!
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Thoroughthinker Mar 18, 2016 07:52pm
She should have stayed with Imran till the introduction of Women's Protection Act" in Punjab.
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Zak Mar 18, 2016 08:28pm
Good she uplifted Pakistan and reinforced it as a nation with uniqueness. Better if she left IK out of it. Her answer should be simple, ' in our religion, our path is destined and it involves many events , so I take it as it comes. The marriage was to be and then end and that's what happened'.
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Philosopher (from Japan) Mar 18, 2016 08:40pm
Love Reham khan. She is an iconic figure.
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Art changes everything Mar 18, 2016 08:54pm
You are a graceful women and i respect you.
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Pune-India Mar 18, 2016 08:57pm
Pakistani politicians are too Bollywood fan
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Lucky Star Mar 18, 2016 09:21pm
IK was not honest with Reham Khan. IK might be honest when dealing with money collection to build cancer hospitals, but when comes to woman dealing he is worst.
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Lucky Star Mar 18, 2016 09:22pm
@Abdulrazzak Completely disagree. She looks genuine to me. She sounds is more intelligent than IK.
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Lucky Star Mar 18, 2016 09:25pm
@Thoroughthinker For your information. it was IK who divorced her with tweet while she was in Heathrow airport coming out of plane. How unlucky IK has become divorcing Reham Khan.
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Lucky Star Mar 18, 2016 09:26pm
@Art changes everything Yes, she is, I hundred percent agree with you.
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T.M. Wazir Mar 18, 2016 10:11pm
I see a bright future waiting for her in Pakistan, good luck .
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zara Mar 18, 2016 10:16pm
Just to clarify, Reham Khan was first a Regional BBC weather girl, and then a Regional BBC presenter. She was never a 'broadcast journalist' for BBC Regional or BBC World, which is what she continues to imply in her interviews. The very talented Mishal Hussain is a broadcast journalist for BBC World. Hussain studied Law at Cambridge. It's very easy to become a weather girl or a local TV presenter, but takes high-quality education to become a broadcast journalist.
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Mukhtar Mar 18, 2016 10:37pm
Reham Khan is a great lady. Should speak truth about dissolution of marriage.
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Imran Mar 18, 2016 10:46pm
She is absolutely fake.
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Seema Mar 18, 2016 10:52pm
Fake, opportunist woman - only wanted to use IK to climb the political ladder
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Tooba Mar 18, 2016 11:07pm
Gifted and charismatic individual, who got lost some where... I doubt she is honest.. but she is very convincing.. Pakistan can use lot of help.. so all those individuals who are working there and trying to help..My prayers are with you.
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Tara, USA Mar 18, 2016 11:12pm
I request Reham Khan to please move on your ex-Khan and use your life the best you want to continue. Pakistan is possible to continue to make further for Pakistani ladies and young teachers to succeed in life. I wish you the best in future for ALL.
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Amin Syed Mar 18, 2016 11:28pm
People in Pakistan don't bother to discuss you! please come out of your dreams Madam!
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Divergence Mar 18, 2016 11:57pm
Her style of doing her job is commendable, I am talking about how she conducts her shows. She has a knack for presenting a boring topic as a lively one. About her reputation, she has gained somewhat from her association with Imran Khan, and that is what makes her alluring in India. Otherwise, Indians would not have given any importance to her, had she not been an ex-wife of Imran Khan.
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Rashid Sultan Mar 18, 2016 11:58pm
She has an imperious and powerful looking persona. Such people, given the freedom, accomplish a lot. Unlike many foreign born 2nd generation Pakistanis she appears to have found her roots in Pakistan and isn't scornful of many ills and backwardness that ail our society. She is the face of a go getting and modern South Asian woman who can cope with the complexities and problems in life and soldier on. Good for her. I would happily marry her because of the respect I have for her qualities as a human being.
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Asad Mar 19, 2016 12:21am
She is still in lime light of imran khan popularity otherwise empty box
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Z Khan Mar 19, 2016 12:23am
Since when did she become human rights activist? this is news for me
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Janjuah Mar 19, 2016 12:30am
Madam, sorry to say that your are wrong. . people don't remember your name even . .
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Naxalite Mar 19, 2016 12:36am
No we don't call you dabang lady, you are nobody.
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Sage Mar 19, 2016 12:42am
This lady is so clever, she takes full advantage of the environment to promote herself. She is in it for herself, which comes through clearly every time she talks.
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Mady Mar 19, 2016 01:16am
@Zak It is her life and choices.
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Ashfaq Abbas Mar 19, 2016 01:40am
Yes and they call me James Bond in Lahore
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AW Mar 19, 2016 01:49am
Reham Khan is no Dabangg - she is an opportunist
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Chicago Mar 19, 2016 01:54am
Don't try to be Mr. Sallu, it is about time to settle down in your life. Men or Women at this age looks for kids future, all your life you try to do the best for your kids as you claim so settle down and raise your kids to be the better human being. Otherwise take some acting lesson and be like Sallu. We heard enough of you.
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Pakistani Mar 19, 2016 02:13am
Well I fail to understand why she want to use her divorce with imran as a tool to become famous.
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Keti Zilgish Mar 19, 2016 02:24am
Reham is a very homely and brave person who will often appear selfish not withstanding all her clearly destined success.
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Confused Mar 19, 2016 02:30am
I got to see the people who call her "dabang".
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Tabassum Qureshi Mar 19, 2016 02:39am
She owe invitation to India Today Conclave to IK, otherwise there is no dearth of news readers and anchor persons. I hope she and IK will always show maturity and keep their married life to themselves, no books or memoirs.
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Ash Mar 19, 2016 02:43am
She is a stunning beauty even in her 40s!!!
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Worth_Commenting Mar 19, 2016 03:28am
@Abdulrazzak You are absolutely right. People can see through it very clearly.
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Asad Mar 19, 2016 03:36am
She sounds so fake and since when did being a weather girl equate to senior broadcast journalist
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WatchIt Mar 19, 2016 03:39am
She looks like an actress rather than a political figure
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syed Mar 19, 2016 03:45am
Really. People call you Dabbang? People call me Changez Khan and some call me Tom Cruise. What a load of crap
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Shahid Mar 19, 2016 04:04am
Never seen a woman more fake than her.
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Anila Mar 19, 2016 04:28am
@Philosopher (from Japan) may I know how?
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Anila Mar 19, 2016 04:28am
May I know how ?
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Arslan Mar 19, 2016 06:23am
It takes a while for bitterness to go. I like Reham, but she needs to stop talking of the divorce/marriage. They were not compatible and that's that. Talk of present and future, past is past so bury it.
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Harish Mar 19, 2016 07:37am
Reham Khan is a lady....all the way!
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Quresh Mar 19, 2016 07:46am
Miss Reham, we all have so many sadness and sorrows in our life. Please stop telling your personnel mistakes and try to find peace. we all know life is full of surprises.
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Rohail Mar 19, 2016 09:21am
She is a fake and a hypocrite to highest order.
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Yaar Nawab Mar 19, 2016 10:19am
Dabangg - I mean seriously? never heard anywhere?
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Mirza Jee Mar 19, 2016 10:45am
Fully cashing her nine months with imran khan!! Before that no one knew her, after that no one wants to know her!!! Fake!
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SHAFEEQ Mar 19, 2016 11:09am
NOW....HAHAHA
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Riztiz Mar 19, 2016 11:29am
Talk of your minus 10 months with IK. Your every talk is always around those 10 months. Have your own identity if you want to grow.
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syed Mar 19, 2016 11:31am
Topi drama baji.
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IamPakistani Mar 19, 2016 11:43am
She is absolutely thankless person
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a Mar 19, 2016 11:48am
A lot of very good people suffer in personal life. History tells us that with numerous examples.
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Tamza Mar 19, 2016 12:01pm
REALLY feel sorry for her - what a confused woman; seems like she is on some serious drugs. How on earth did IK fall for this phony. Makes one question his ability to assess realuty.
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Rajesh Punjabi Mar 19, 2016 12:14pm
Wish she could speak freely in Pakistan like she can in India at India Today Concede at New Delhi.
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sachin Mar 19, 2016 12:27pm
@Zak Abdul Razak I don't think she s fake. She is outspoken. Marriages can fail. There is no guarentee for a marriage. Especially when the personality is like hers. She is talented. I do not agree with you on her.
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Abdul Wahab Mar 19, 2016 12:39pm
She is so fake! and who calls her Dabang? If anything she is trying to gain (also money wise) as much as possible from her marriage to I.K. She was an unknown before her marriage to him.
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khan Mar 19, 2016 12:44pm
self illusion.
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Anees Mar 19, 2016 12:58pm
Another dodgy personality trying to edge her way into Politics. God save the country
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aslam shaikh Mar 19, 2016 01:08pm
It was all to increase her rating. It was all a sham.
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Ahmed Mar 19, 2016 01:11pm
Just to put the record straight...Nobody in Pakistan has ever called her Dabangg
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Jalbani Baloch Mar 19, 2016 01:12pm
Self praise is no recommendation, but no harm in making yourself happy. No one knew you until you married and divorced Imran Khan, who is a popular leader and was indeed a source of your identity. Your memory does not exist in our minds, as you have not done anything worth rememberance for the sake of our country.
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Ikram Mar 19, 2016 01:17pm
@Naxalite. By the way who is she???
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shah Mar 19, 2016 01:29pm
She is trying to enter politics. Lets see which party she joins or make her own party.
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A. Ali Mar 19, 2016 01:47pm
I would like to meet the person who called her 'dabang'.
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aslam shaikh Mar 19, 2016 06:48pm
Big planning behind all this, the climax was that road were filled by banners: "Tabdeeli by Reham Khan" for her TV program but in reality a slap on the face.
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Pakistani Mar 22, 2016 09:11am
@Pune-India well she is not a politician but she is trying hard to be
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Pakistani Mar 22, 2016 09:12am
@Lucky Star no he is not as evident by his relation with jemima. The graceful lady has never said a word about her divorce with imran or anything against him.
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mastani Mar 22, 2016 09:26pm
Sorry to hear about your divorce, but you are a great lady, you did lot of good things for Pak women. Hope you will continue in the future.
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solani Mar 22, 2016 09:27pm
Hi, Reham keep it up your good work.
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KB Mar 23, 2016 09:02am
She is not able to get out of great Khan's charisma thing. ITS OVER AUNTY!.
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Mashal Mar 23, 2016 10:18am
A smart person never makes the same mistake twice! you did exactly the same and did it twice. Now please stop your sympathy gathering tours as they won't get you no where.
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