Pets of Imran Khan
{{Short description|Companion animals of Imran Khan}}
{{Imran Khan sidebar|expanded=Personal}}
Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has owned five dogs at his residence in Bani Gala, Islamabad—Sheru, Sherni, Motu, Pidu, and Maximus—of which the last three are still alive. Khan also has chickens, water buffalo, and cows on his farmhouse property, which he raises for organic produce.
Dogs
Khan's dogs have been a focus of interest in several media reports, and often find reference amongst journalists during his interviews.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/imran-khan-i-m-ready-to-face-my-sex-accuser-6drm3z977|title=Imran Khan: I'm ready to face my sex accuser|work=The Times|date=19 August 2017|access-date=7 August 2018|first1=Wajahat|last1=Khan|first2=Hugh|last2=Tomlinson}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/magazine/pakistans-imran-khan-must-be-doing-something-right.html|title=Imran Khan Must Be Doing Something Right|work=The New York Times|date=19 August 2012|accessdate=6 August 2018|first=Pankaj|last=Mishra}} According to the Financial Times, a typical day in Khan's routine begins with breakfast, "walking the dogs and gathering his thoughts", and morning exercise.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/104bbd3c-5712-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2|title=Politician and cricket legend Imran Khan in his Islamabad mansion|work=Financial Times|date=17 September 2015|accessdate=6 August 2018|first=Victor|last=Mallet}} In a 2012 interview with Meher Bukhari, Khan mentioned that he kept dogs as a necessity, in order to guard his house.{{YouTube|id=5uVTidxS5eY#t=4m23s|title="Imran Khan Interview in Bani Gala – Cross Fire with Meher Bukhari – 07 June 2012"}} The dogs also accompany him during one of his favourite pastimes, hunting partridges.{{cite news |last1=Tyzack |first1=Interview by Anna |title=My perfect weekend: Imran Khan |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/my-perfect-weekend/8797094/My-perfect-weekend-Imran-Khan.html |accessdate=6 August 2018 |date=29 September 2011}} His keeping of dogs has been targeted by his political opponents; federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique once berated Khan in parliament for his affection toward canines, and for allowing them inside his house, stating it was "against cultural/religious values."{{cite news|url=https://arynews.tv/en/dead-kicked-imran-pet-dog-sheru/|title=Dead or kicked out? Imran tells media about his pet dog Sheru|work=ARY News|date=6 April 2018|accessdate=6 August 2018}} Rafique's statement elicited a rejoinder from many commentators such as Talat Farooq, Hamid Mir and Mubasher Lucman.{{cite news|url=https://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/24122/imran-khan-versus-saad-rafique-in-defence-of-sheru/|title=Imran Khan versus Saad Rafique: In defence of Sheru|work=The Express Tribune|first=Talat|last=Farooq|date=19 September 2014|accessdate=6 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25z50r|title=Hamid Mir's Reply to Khawaja Saad|work=Dailymotion|date=15 September 2014 |accessdate=6 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25qzwn|title=Mubashir Lucman replies to Khawaja Saad Rafiq for his statement on Imran Khan's Dog Sheru|work=Awaz Today|date=2014|accessdate=30 September 2018}} Whilst addressing a crowd of supporters during the Azadi march on 14 September 2014, Khan pushed back at the remarks: "Sheru is dead, poor dog, I really liked him. He was much more loyal to me than these people (in the Assembly)." A day later, Rafique responded "Had I known that Sheru is no more, I wouldn't have said such a thing. I'm sure Imran Khan would have been hurt by my comments."{{cite news|url=https://www.samaa.tv/opinion/2014/09/live-updates-azadi-and-inqilab-march-continue/|title=Live Updates: Azadi and Inqilab March Countdown Begins|work=Samaa News|date=12 September 2014|accessdate=1 October 2018}} The presence of Khan's dogs has been noted even during official meetings inside his house.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/even-imran-khans-pet-dogs-now-have-a-wikipedia-page-1835535.html|title=Even Imran Khan's Pet Dogs Now Have A Wikipedia Page!|work=News 18|date=6 August 2018|accessdate=6 August 2018|first=Rakhi|last=Bose}}
In April 2018, Khan said he had a total of five pet dogs.{{cite news |title=Imran denies kicking out pet dog on new wife's order |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/04/06/imran-denies-kicking-out-pet-dog-on-new-wifes-order/ |accessdate=8 August 2018 |work=www.pakistantoday.com.pk |date=28 July 2006}}
Khan's dogs were covered in much detail by Reham in her 2018 autobiography, Reham Khan. Reham wrote that Pervez Musharraf had previously given several puppies to Imran Khan, and that Imran Khan was fond of "handsome dogs".{{cite news |title=Imran Khan's ex-wife Reham Khan writes on the real dog behind his latest matrimonial woes |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/imran-khans-ex-wife-reveals-the-real-dog-behind-his-latest-matrimonial-discord/52755/ |accessdate=5 August 2018 |work=The Print |date=26 April 2018}} Wikipedia's coverage of Khan's pets has also drawn much interest amongst newspapers.{{cite news |title=When pets make headlines! |url=https://nation.com.pk/08-Aug-2018/when-pets-make-headlines |accessdate=8 August 2018 |work=The Nation |date=8 August 2018}}
Frank Huzur in Imran Versus Imran: The Untold Story wrote Imran Khan loved dogs since his childhood. And that his mother used to encourage him to play with all types of dogs.{{cite news |title=ادارتی صفحہ - عمران خان کےٹائیگرز - Today's Paper {{!}} Daily Jang |url=https://jang.com.pk/news/21695 |accessdate=6 August 2018 |work=Jang}} Shortly after he became premier, it was reported in the media that Khan's dog also accompanied him on his prime ministerial helicopter, during his daily commute from his residence to the prime minister's office.{{cite news|url=https://theprint.in/go-to-pakistan/pakistan-is-broke-but-pm-imran-khans-dogs-travel-on-his-chopper/118855/|title=Pakistan is broke, but PM Imran Khan's dogs travel on his chopper|work=The Print|date=15 September 2018|accessdate=22 September 2018|first1=Aastha|last1=Singh|first2=Manisha|last2=Mondal}}
= Sheru=
In 2011, Pervez Musharraf gave a puppy to Imran Khan before his self-imposed exile. The puppy was born at the Musharraf's farmhouse.{{cite news |title=Musharraf gifts puppy to Imran |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/304073-musharraf-gifts-puppy-to-imran |accessdate=6 August 2018 |work=The News |language=en}} Reham Khan claimed his name was Sheru{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Reham |title=Khan |publisher=SK Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1916415201 |pages=546|date= 2018}} an Alsatian.{{cite news |title=ادارتی صفحہ - پالتو کتے - Today's Paper {{!}} Daily Jang |url=https://jang.com.pk/news/475781 |accessdate=6 August 2018 |work=Daily Jang}}
In September 2014, Imran Khan in a TV talk show revealed that Sheru had died three months earlier.{{cite news |title=عمران خان کا پالتو کتا شیرو مر چکا ہے |url=https://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/15-Sep-2014/328820 |accessdate=6 August 2018 |work=Nawaiwaqt |date=15 September 2014 |language=ur-PK}} However, in April 2018, reports and social media rumours emerged that Khan had removed Sheru from his Bani Gala house on the advice of his third wife Bushra Maneka. According to local media, a new quarter was being built for the dog within Khan's premises but outside the main residence building, as his wife was not comfortable with pet animals inside the house.{{cite news |title=Imran kicks out pet dog on wife's order |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/301073-imran-kicks-out-pet-dog-on-wife-s-order |accessdate=5 August 2018 |language=en}} However, Khan during a press conference denied the media reports lightheartedly, and said Sheru had died three to four years ago.{{cite news |title=Sheru died years ago: Imran dismisses viral reports |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/189799-sheru-died-years-ago-imran-dismisses-viral-reports |accessdate=5 August 2018 |date=6 April 2018}}{{cite news |title=Imran Khan is not kicking out pet dogs from Bani Gala |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/imran-khan-is-not-kicking-out-pet-dogs-from-bani-gala/ |accessdate=5 August 2018 |work=Daily Pakistan Global}}
Imran Khan used to call him "tiger". Sheru literally means 'lion'.
=Sherni=
Sherni was a Kuchi dog, who died while living at Khan's Bani Gala house. Sherni means 'Lioness'.
= Motu=
Motu is an offspring of Sheru and Khan's late Kuchi breed, Sherni.
In April 2018, the dogs had reportedly been blamed for a spat between Imran Khan and his third wife Bushra Maneka.{{cite news|url=https://www.theweek.in/columns/Shobhaa-De/2018/05/11/man-animal-conflict.html|title=Man-animal conflict|work=The Week|first=Shobhaa|last=De|authorlink=Shobhaa De|date=20 May 2018|accessdate=6 August 2018}} According to the reports, the dogs were causing unease and disturbance for Bushra during her religious activities and she allegedly left Bani Gala for her family home following the spat.{{cite news |title=Imran Khan's marriage in trouble, wife moves out due to ex-cricketer's dogs |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/imran-khan-s-marriage-in-trouble-wife-moves-out-due-to-ex-cricketer-s-dogs/story-NdwAwnd6guswe1bBJH9guI.html |accessdate=5 August 2018 |work=hindustan times|date=25 April 2018 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Imran Khan and Bushra Maneka marriage in trouble, say reports; reason is quite unbelievable! |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/imran-khan-and-bushra-maneka-marriage-in-trouble-say-reports-reason-is-quite-unbelievable/1145198/ |accessdate=5 August 2018 |work=The Financial Express |date=25 April 2018}}{{cite news |title=Marriage on rocks? Imran Khan's newly-wed wife returns to maternal home after dispute over pet dogs |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/marriage-on-rocks-imran-khans-newly-wed-wife-returns-to-maternal-home-after-dispute-over-pet-dogs/articleshow/63910535.cms |accessdate=5 August 2018 |work=The Economic Times |date=25 April 2018}}{{cite news |title=Imran Khan-Bushra Maneka heading for divorce due to Pak cricketer's pet dogs? |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/cricket/250418/imran-khan-bushra-maneka-3rd-marriage-divorce-family-dogs-pakistan-teh.html |accessdate=5 August 2018 |work=Deccan Chronicle |date= 2018 |language=en}} The rumors, which originally circulated on the Daily Ummat newspaper, were refuted by both Khan and his wife.{{cite news|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/imran-khan-breaks-silence-on-shock-split-with-bushra-maneka/|title=Imran Khan breaks silence on shock 'split' with Bushra Maneka|date=27 April 2018|accessdate=6 August 2018|first=Usman|last=Arshad|work=Daily Pakistan}} Reham Khan said "I suspect it could be Motu that is causing disturbance. But then, Motu is not really an indoor type".{{cite news |title=I suspect it could be Imran Khan's 'Motu' that is causing disturbance, Reham says |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/04/26/i-suspect-it-could-be-imran-khans-motu-that-is-causing-disturbance-reham-says/ |accessdate=6 August 2018 |work=www.pakistantoday.com.pk}}
Imran Khan denied the rumours that Motu was removed from the Bani Gala premises.{{cite news |title=اہم خبریں - کتے کو گھر سے نہیں نکالا، عمران خان - Today's Paper {{!}} Daily Jang |url=https://jang.com.pk/news/475076 |accessdate=6 August 2018 |work=Jang}} As of April 2018, Motu was living in Imran Khan's Bani Gala house. Motu literally translates to 'fatty'. In her first television interview as First Lady with Nadeem Malik, Bushra refuted reports about her not being fond of Khan's dogs and mentioned that she herself in fact took care of Motu.{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/bushra-maneka-imran-khan-doesn-t-have-a-magic-wand-1.2283606|title=Bushra Maneka: Imran Khan doesn't have a magic wand|work=Gulf News|date=28 September 2018|accessdate=29 September 2018|first=Falah|last=Gulzar}}
= Pidu=
= Maximus=
Maximus (also nicknamed Hugo Maximus or Max), a Belgian Shepherd, was brought by Reham Khan from the United Kingdom to Bani Gala after her marriage with Imran Khan. The dog remained Imran Khan's favourite during his stay at Bani Gala. Maximus reportedly left Bani Gala after the divorce of Imran and Reham.{{cite news |title=Dogs' role in Imran-Reham divorce rejected |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/7874-dogs-role-in-imran-reham-divorce-rejected |accessdate=5 August 2018 |work=Geo News}}
Other animals
Khan also rears his own chickens, water buffalo and cows on his 35-acre farmhouse property, and uses their organic produce such as milk, meat and eggs. During her marriage to Imran, Jemima Khan had acknowledged the couple owning two dogs, in addition to chickens and a goat "so we can have free-range eggs and meat from the garden."{{cite book|author1=Ann Lovelace|author2=Joy White|title=Beliefs, Values and Traditions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AO7ddXdGjxIC&pg=PA108|year=2002|publisher=Heinemann|isbn=978-0-435-30261-0|pages=108–}}{{cite book|title=Country Life|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JicQAQAAMAAJ|year=1996|page=30|quote=On arrival you are greeted by Tiger, a boisterous guard dog, acquired from Waziri tribesmen by Imran on his travels in the border areas.}} A 1996 news piece described one of his hounds as a "boisterous guard dog", also nicknamed Tiger. Tiger had been acquired from Waziri tribesmen during one of Imran's trips to the northwestern tribal areas.
Khan's dogs found a mention in Michael Palin's 2004 book Himalaya, when the latter interviewed him at his house and was greeted by "three amiable dogs... tails wagging vigorously, until that becomes too much of an effort and they collapse, bellies flat against warm stones or on their backs in the shade of the verandah, legs spread-eagled in abandon." Palin describes one of the dogs as a Labrador.{{cite book|author=Michael Palin|title=Himalaya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6qt6y8npvqYC&pg=PT38|date=27 May 2010|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-0-297-86360-1|pages=38–}}
In his book Pakistan: A Personal History, Khan notes:
{{quote|I am a completely outdoor person; I have always been – even as a boy during the hot summer months in Lahore my mother had trouble making me stay indoors. Since 2005 I have lived in a farmhouse on a hill outside the capital city, Islamabad, a place I call my paradise, recreating the sense of wilderness that I love. I am surrounded by hills and greenery with a panoramic view of Rawal Lake and the foothills of the Himalayas. I grow my own fruit and vegetables and keep chickens, cows and water buffaloes. Wild birds and animals surround me too – partridges, porcupines, snakes, lizards, jackals and peacocks.{{cite book|author=Imran Khan|title=Pakistan: A Personal History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JnVs_JmciTYC&pg=PA18|year=2012|publisher=Bantam Books|isbn=978-0-85750-064-9|pages=18–}}}}
In his assets declaration in 2017, Khan listed himself as an owner of four goats worth {{PKRConvert|0.2|m}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1360579|title=Which assets did Imran Khan declare?|work=Dawn|date=28 September 2017|accessdate=27 August 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/392931-Imran-has-no-vehicle-ECP-releases-details-of-lawm|title=Imran has no vehicle, ECP releases details of lawmakers' assets|work=Dunya News|date=15 June 2017|accessdate=27 August 2018}}