Hyderabad: The Malek-Aisha Seddiqui saga, which was becoming murkier by the day for the past one week, reached an unexpected and dramatic conclusion yesterday. After denying his marriage to Aisha, Pakistani cricket Shoaib Malek did a turn around and agreed to give a formal divorce to her, indirectly admitting that he was lying all along.
The dramatic turn in the sequence of events came following behind the scene efforts by the concerned elders of the Muslim community in Hyderabad for the past one week.
"According to the decision of the community elders, both the families — Seddiquis and Maleks — have reached a settlement and Shoaib has agreed to divorce to Aisha," said Major SGM Quadri, the chief negotiator in the mediation efforts.
"Shoaib signed the divorce papers at the residence of Sania Mirza this morning after the night-long final negotiations.
"Community elders were present at the occasion," said Abid Rasool Khan, another mediator. Though no financial transaction was involved in the settlement, as per Sharia, Shoaib paid Rs15,000 (Dh1,250) to Aisha towards maintenance of three months.
In exchange, Aisha withdrew the criminal case she had filed against Shoaib, charging him with cheating, domestic violence and criminal intimidation.
"Both the families agreed to go by the decision the elders in the larger interest of the community," Major Quadri said. Aisha's mother Farisa said that her family was happy and relieved. "My daughter's wish for a divorce with out financial payment has been fulfilled. We are very happy about it."
