On a visit to an old friend

Islamabad: Imran Khan was playing cricket with his sons Suleiman and Kassim in a lush green lawn when I drove into his mansion on the top of Bani Gala Hill in Islamabad.

I had to clear the security at the gate of his house at least half a kilometre down the hill. Being an old friend, he welcomed me and took me to the lawn at the back of the house with a breathtaking view of Islamabad city, Mangla Dam lake and the magical Margala Hills.

When asked why he was relaxing there when the political scene was very hot, he said: "My boys are visiting me and I like to spend time with them."

Suleiman, 12 and Kassim, 8, visit Khan six times a year during their vacations since his divorce with Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of British billionaire James Goldsmith, in 2004 after nine years of marriage.

As we walked toward the playground there was a loud shout from the ground for LBW (leg before wickets) out appeal from the boys who were playing cricket. They came running to Khan, and one of them asked: "Is it out?" Khan said: "Ask the umpire". His son Kassim said: "There is no umpire." Khan said: "If there is no umpire, the LBW out cannot be given."

Khan said that he would not get married again. "I am concentrating on setting up another cancer hospital in Karachi and launching some educational projects," he added.