Reham Khan enters politics, launches her own 'Pakistan Republic Party'

Former journalist and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's ex-wife, Reham Khan announced her entry into politics on Tuesday by launching her own political party, the Pakistan Republic Party (PRP).

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Reham emphasised the need to eliminate nepotism in politics, stating, “In the film industry, artists are often judged based on nepotism, but politics doesn’t follow the same criteria,” she remarked.

Expressing concern over the current state of affairs in Pakistan, she said, “Artists are commenting on farmers, and opportunists are building monuments. What’s going on in the country, I have no words to describe it.”

Reham said her party would prioritise public issues and discourage mob behaviour. “The PRP will talk about the people. It will operate through horizontal leadership with representation based on lived experience,” she said.

Sharing the key points of her party’s manifesto, she stressed that the constituencies to contest should be allotted in accordance with their residence, stating, “If you don’t live in your constituency, you should not be allowed to contest elections from another. The practice of contesting from multiple constituencies should be abolished.”

Reham shared personal reflections, saying, “I joined the BBC in 2012, then resigned and spent four years living with my mother. During that time, I fell in love with Pakistan. I have observed the country closely from 2012 to 2025.”

Commenting on the country's challenges, she said, “Our people don’t even have access to clean drinking water. A young girl once told me, ‘Please don’t become like other politicians.’ That’s why I stayed away from politics for so long.”

She criticised the media's focus on power struggles, saying, “Prime-time discussions revolve around which government is falling or rising. When I was asked whether I would talk about deprived provinces, I said, All provinces are deprived.”

Reham noted that she has taken this political step after deep reflection. “In my view, Karachi should be the capital. There’s no real difference between political parties or their leaders; political point-scoring happens over tragedies like Murree and Swat.”

She also expressed concern over the political climate, saying, “It’s all about who is in jail and who is getting out. TV debates are full of personal attacks. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, even speaking the truth at home is intolerable.”

Reham concluded by emphasising her commitment to merit, saying, “Everyone now seems focused on becoming a minister. I have worked on merit, and I want others to do the same. Traders are protesting against the new budget. No one knows the actual price of sugar. Who are the mafias? The FBR should catch them. Today, landlords (waderas) claim to represent farmers, while traders manipulate the prices of essential goods.”