M A I N   N E W S

Dawood’s daughter, Miandad’s son get married

Dubai, July 24
Wrapped under a cloak of secrecy and attended by a few hundred guests, the much-hyped wedding of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s daughter with former Pakistani test cricketer Javed Miandad’s son was solemnised at a five star hotel here with media prevented from covering the event.

While Miandad dressed in a formal black suit and his wife wearing a silver-coloured saree attended the late night ceremony yesterday, it was not clear whether Dawood, who is based in Karachi and wanted by India in connection with the Mumbai serial bomb blasts, was present at the wedding.

Mediapersons, especially a large contingent of reporters from India, had come here to cover the event but were disappointed as security guards kept them out of the venue. However, at least two Indian journalists were allowed inside but barred from taking pictures.

According to sources, Indian intelligence agencies kept a close watch at the venue of the wedding of Dawood’s daughter Mahrukh and Miandad’s son Junaid, especially to know who all attended from India, especially from Mumbai.

However, it is believed that no big shots from either Bollywood or the sports circuit were present at the lavish ceremony.

An expensive invitation card sent to the guests and published in a local daily here read: “Mr and Mrs Dawood Hassan Shaikh Ibrahim request the pleasure of your company at the wedding ceremony of their beloved daughter Mahrukh with Junaid Miandad s/o Mr and Mrs Javed Miandad Insha Allah on Saturday, 23rd July 2005.”

The card said: “Marriages are decided in Heaven and will be celebrated on Earth, Oh! Allah guide this couple to the best of happiness, understanding and success (Aameen).”

Though the arrival of the ‘baraat’ (the bridegroom and his party) was scheduled for 9.30 pm and the dinner at 10 pm, the programmes were delayed by a few hours, sources said.

A lavish reception for the couple will be organised on August 4 in Karachi where all the relatives, friends, well-wishers and high-profile figures will be invited, Miandad said. Former Pakistan cricketer Asif Iqbal was also seen at the venue of the wedding.

The large media contingent was camping outside the hotel, at least 100 metres away from its main gate.

Gulf News daily said the families were already in the hotel rooms and did not enter through the front door.

It quoted a hotel official as saying they had prepared a “lavish buffet” in a specially decorated hall.

“We were asked to prepare a meal for 550 to 600 guests,” he said but refused to give details about how much the ceremony cost. — PTI