PTI leader and former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Atif Khan has rejected criticism over the presence of former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa at his niece’s wedding. He said the invitation came from the groom’s family, not from him. His remarks appear in a video circulating on social media, in which he said the bride’s side had no role in choosing the groom’s guests.
In the clip, Atif said he had not known who would attend the ceremony on the groom’s behalf. “When children get married, guests attend. There is particular criticism over General Bajwa, but he was there from the groom’s side,” he said. His clarification came after criticism directed at him and other PTI leaders over the event.
Atif Khan says the groom’s family issued the invitation
Atif said the bride’s family is usually asked only how many guests to expect, so that arrangements can be made. Their input does not extend to the other side’s invitees. “You do not ask the groom’s family who they are inviting. You only ask how many guests will be coming so that arrangements can be made accordingly,” he said.
He added that the groom’s family had its own political and social ties and was free to invite anyone it chose. According to Atif, the groom’s side included politically connected people, and Bajwa was known to them. He suggested this was why they had extended the invitation to the former army chief.
Atif also said his own guest list was different. “We had invited our own friends, PTI MPAs and senators. We did not know who would be attending from the groom’s side,” he said.
Wedding footage in Peshawar fuels criticism of PTI leaders
Photographs and videos from the wedding in Peshawar surfaced on social media on Wednesday, triggering the backlash. Bajwa was among the prominent guests. Other attendees included PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, along with other political figures.
The footage showed several PTI leaders, including Gohar and Qaiser, sitting with Bajwa, speaking to him and shaking hands in what appeared to be friendly exchanges. Supporters of the party criticised these interactions on social media and questioned how the leadership could engage with the former army chief. Atif himself also came under scrutiny, with users asking why he had invited Bajwa to a family event.
Atif’s response drew a line between guests invited by the bride’s family and those from the groom’s side. He argued that he had no say over the latter’s guest list.
Party’s long-standing dispute with Bajwa shapes reaction
The wedding was that of Atif’s niece, Hanan Khan, who married the son of Colonel (retd) Asad Alam Niazi. Niazi is described as a figure affiliated with the Pakistan People’s Party and as chief executive officer of Bursheen LPG Pakistan Ltd. Atif cited Niazi’s political and military connections as the likely reason for Bajwa’s presence.
The reaction is shaped by the PTI’s long-running dispute with the former army chief. The party has repeatedly accused Bajwa of playing a central role in the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan’s government in April 2022. Imran has repeatedly alleged that Bajwa was instrumental in the events that led to his ouster. Bajwa has previously rejected allegations of political interference.
