Pak may file diplomatic note with MEA over seizure of Shoaib Malik's passport - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi may submit a diplomatic note to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) protesting against the seizure (or surrender) of cricketer Shoaib Malik's passport by Hyderabad Police and against registration of a case against him, sources at the high commission said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said that Malik was a Pakistani citizen, and a case of cruelty, negligence, cheating and desertion could not be filed against him. They said that he would be provided with legal and consular assistance if an approach was made. Malik has appeared before the city police and claimed that his reported marriage to Ayesha Siddique was a forgery, and that his signature on the nikahnama had also been forged. Malik's deposition came as a Pakistan-based lawyer was hired by Ayesha Siddiqui, the Indian girl claiming to be Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik’s wife, and he confirmed that he would be filing a case against the cricketer, on charges of dumping her without a formal divorce. Farooq Hassan said that Ayesha’s father Mohammed Siddiqui had contacted him from India over the telephone and asked him to file a case against Shoaib. According to reports, Ayesha’s family had sent a legal notice to Shoaib, but Hassan said that he was not aware of this. “I don’t know anything about this, but all I can say is in next few days I will be deciding on what to do in Ayesha’s case,” The Daily Times quoted Hassan, as saying. The Siddiquis claim that Malik married their daughter Ayesha in 2002, but has not divorced her till date. The Hyderabad based family had also produced pictures of Shoaib-Ayesha’s Nikahnama (marriage certificate) that states that their marriage was solemnised on June 3, 2002. Malik, on the other hand, has denied being married to Ayesha. He, however, admitted to talking to a girl named Ayesha over the telephone, but said he has never seen or met the girl. Earlier on Sunday, Shoaib said that his wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza would take place as scheduled on April 15, and claimed that he was “emotionally forced” to do a “telephone Nikah” (wedding on telephone) with Ayesha. Addressing the media outside Sania’s house in Hyderabad , India , Shoaib said: “I am here till April 15 for my marriage. We are getting married, Inshaallah, on April 15. We are preparing for the function, the atmosphere here is very good, are very happy.” “Sania is very happy and knows the truth,” he added.