Friday, August 5 2005 14:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Karachi: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz stayed away from the strictly guarded 'Valima' of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's daughter Mahrukh here.

The Mumbai blasts accused don, also did not turn-up at the reception of his daughter, who married Junaid, the son of former Pakistani cricket team's captain Javed Miandad in Dubai on July 23.

The impressive and celebrity-studded Valima, reception given by the groom's side of the family after the marriage, was held last evening (August 4, 2005) amidst tight security.

Dawood was not the only one who stayed away from the grand reception attended by nearly 1,800 guests. Pakistani Government and Cricket Board officials and current cricketers also ducked the invitations that were also sent to President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Muslim League leader Chaudhry Shaujaat Hussain.

"They have stayed away for obvious reasons and I don't think they need to be elaborated," a close aide of Javed Miandad said.

Miandad's long time teammate and cricketer-turned -politician Imran Khan also failed to make an appearance despite being in the city and after having told media earlier in the day that he would grace the occasion.

Nevertheless, former test cricketers and sports icons, ex-cricket board officials, a large contingent of the media, prominent businessmen, retired Government and Civil Servants and celebrities from the showbiz gathered to bless the newly-wed couple who made their appearance at 11.00 pm, almost 90 minutes behind schedule.

Junaid was smartly dressed in a dark blue evening suit while Mahrukh wore an elegant and graceful golden sharara with lots of jewellery.

It may be mentioned here that according to Islamic tradition, the Valima dresses of the bride and the groom are prepared by their respective in-laws.

The electronic media was kept away from the hotel premises and mobile phones were not allowed inside the large banquet hall. Only family members and close friends were allowed close to the stage where the couple sat for family movies and photographs.

Nearly half-a-dozen security guards were deployed around the stage to stop trespassers.

Inside the hall, there were nearly 40 security guards who ensured that no one breached the laid-down instructions.

Insiders said CCTV cameras, voice recorders and mobile jammers were also installed in the hall. Prior to the arrival of guests, the hall was thoroughly checked before being cleared for reception and the guests were allowed inside only after thorough security checks.

The dinner with 18 dishes, including Chinese, Continental and Pakistani food besides half a dozen sweet dishes was served in separate dinning rooms for women and men.

"The food was tested and cleared by medical staff before it was served," a family member said.

Sports icons who attended the reception included Zaheer Abbas, Moin Khan, Wasim Bari, Iqbal Qasim, Jalaluddin, Taslim Arif, Rashid Khan, Waqar Hasan (all cricketers) Jahangir Khan (squash), Hanif Khan, Samiullah Khan and Islahuddin (all hockey).

The couple is said to be leaving for an European honeymoon later this month.