PAKISTAN: JEMIMA KHAN ADDRESSES ELECTION CAMPAIGN RALLY

(23 Jan 1997) Urdu/Eng/Nat

Jemima Khan, the wife of former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan, has taken up her husband's political cause by addressing an election campaign rally on Thursday.

The 22-year-old easily won over the several hundred supporters by dropping her native English to speak to the crowd in Urdu.

Imran Khan is running for prime minister in Pakistan's February 3rd elections on an anti-corruption ticket.

Jemima Khan was mobbed by crowds of supporters as she arrived at Aabpara community centre to hold her first political rally in support of her husband, the Pakistani cricket hero - Imran Khan.

The daughter of billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith, Jemima recently gave birth to a son in London but is now in Pakistan to show her support for her husband's bid to become Pakistan's next prime minister in February's elections.

Jemima Khan was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd as people clambered for autographs.

This is her first appearance on the campaign trail and she's not expected to attend any other rallies.

And her success was guaranteed when she spoke to them in Urdu.

SOUNDBITE: (Urdu)
"Please forgive me if I make mistakes, I'm really happy to be here and I thank you for inviting me. I am now learning and if there are any differences please forgive me."
SUPERCAPTION: Jemima Khan, Wife of Imran Khan

Her message was clear and simple.

SOUNDBITE: (Urdu)
"The other two parties have a smaller chance and I hope that my husband's party is the one you should give your vote to. Thank you."
SUPERCAPTION: Jemima Khan, Wife of Imran Khan

But little effort was needed to convince these upper and middle class voters to back Imran Khan.

Event organisers bused in the 250 women who attended the rally.

There was no doubt in their mind that she's a vote winner.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The way she spoke Urdu today was quite impressive and is what the people like and this is going to help Imran Khan in his campaign."
SUPERCAPTION: Ilyas Mirza, Imran Khan's campaign organiser

Last November, Imran Khan announced he would run for prime minister promising an end to corruption which is a key issue in the election campaign. All parties are promising to bring culprits to book.

President Farooq Leghari sacked Benazir Bhutto's government on November 5 on disputed charges of corruption and misrule.

Jemima Khan left to rejoin her husband in Lahore as his campaigning intensifies in the last few days before Pakistanis go to the polls.

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