Islamabad: In Pakistan, where weddings are normally an extravagant and lavish affair, the prime minister’s son has set an example by keeping his marriage ceremony simple and elegant.
The valima reception of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s son Abdullah Khaqan Abbasi was held at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad on March 4.
It was a low-key and private affair as no government official and staff member of the PM House were invited and many officials learned about the marriage from social media.
The guests were served only one food item as per recently imposed restriction in Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by close family members, friends of the family, and senior PML-N officials — including Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif and Chaudhry Nisar.
Premier’s son is currently associated with Air Blue Airlines (founded by PM Abbasi in 2003). He tied knot with Maryam, daughter of Raja Nosherwan, on Friday evening in Karachi.
Casual look
The valima was arranged on the lawns of PM’s house, adorned with flowers. Both the groom and the bride looked elegant in their designer outfits. The bride wore a traditional red dress while the groom donned a black suit.
The prime minister opted for a subtle look and attended the reception in traditional white Shalwar Kameez with a black vest — which has become his signature look.
Recently, the PM was jeered on social media over his ‘casual look’ at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. He, however, clarified later: “I went to school in California. So in California, they said you only wear a tie on the day you get married or you die” — an explanation, which drew laughter from the crowd.
The latest gesture by the prime minister was appreciated by many Pakistanis. “Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is leading by example as he arranged a small, humble function in his home for son’s wedding with just one dish in accordance to the law. This is something most Pakistanis don’t adhere to,” commented Syed Muaz Shah, a blogger.
The ceremony was in sharp contrast to most others arranged by Pakistani politicians and business personalities. Veteran politician and leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Khursheed Shah, made headlines this week for his spectacular entry at his son’s wedding event.
The Pakistan Peoples Party leader wowed the audience and media by arriving with his son on a racing bike to the venue of one of wedding functions.
