Shoaib gets passport back,but Lahore reception is deferred

Shoaib Malik has deferred his 'walima' or wedding reception to April 27.

Shoaib Malik has deferred his walima or wedding reception to April 27 even as the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday ordered that his passport be released. Shoaib and wife Sania Mirza will leave for Pakistan in a few days.

Shoaib was to host the reception at Lahores four-star Pearl Continental Hotel on April 22 but his plans were upset after he failed to get his passport,seized by the Hyderabad Police on April 5 and deposited with the court of 13th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate,back in time.

Shoaib and Sania are expected to arrive in Lahore on April 23 or 24. On April 25,we have arranged a reception in honour of the couple in Sialkot and the walima will be held in Lahore on April 27, Shoaibs brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik said. He said 1,000 guests,including about 30 from India,are expected to attend the reception. Relatives and some friends of Sania bhabhi are scheduled to arrive here on April 26, Imran added.

The couple are likely to stay in Lahore for a few days before going to Dubai. We have a booking for five nights for the couple, an official at Pearl Continental Hotel,where the couple will stay,said.

Meanwhile,the High Court ordered release of Shoaibs passport after the Hyderabad Police sought closure of a cheating case filed against the cricketer by his now divorced wife Ayesha Siddiqui. Following the divorce,the Siddiquis had withdrawn the complaint.

Justice C V Nagarjuna directed the Nampally Criminal Court to release the cricketers passport after Advocate General D V Sitaram Murthy informed the court that police had filed its final report before a magistrate for closure of the case against him.

Asked about it,Shoaib said,I heard from someone that I am getting my passport back sometime tomorrow.