Two petitions were filed in Pakistani courts today against cricketer Shoaib Malik for violating government rules on holding receptions and for the alleged sale of invitation cards for an event to celebrate his wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
In a petition filed in the Lahore High Court, a man named Hasan Sheraz alleged that Shoaib had violated a ban on serving more than one dish at marriage functions and the government’s order for such functions to be concluded by 10 p.m.
Mr Sheraz further alleged that a ban on the use of decorative lights at wedding functions had been violated during a reception hosted for Shoaib and Sania in the cricketer’s hometown of Sialkot last night.
“Cricketer Shaoib Malik has committed both violations. The reception in honour of couple at Sialkot Hockey stadium continued till midnight and decorative lights were used in abundance,” Mr Sheraz contended.
He asked the court to penalise Shoaib for flouting the government’s orders.
In a separate petition filed in a sessions court in Lahore, a man named Safdar Ali alleged he was barred from attending the reception in honour of Shoaib and Sania even though he had bought an invitation card for Rs 15,000 (about USD 200) from a person who claimed to be a relative of the cricketer.
“Despite having the card, the security stopped me from attending the ceremony,” he said.
The courts are expected to take up the petitions tomorrow.
The government of Punjab province last year imposed a bar on serving more than one dish at wedding functions as part of a series of austerity measures.
The federal government recently imposed strict restrictions of the use of electricity as the country is grappling with a crippling energy shortage.
