Man marries two women in one day

A Pakistani man solved the dilemma of whether to embark on an arranged or a love marriage - by marrying both of them within 24 hours.

Azhar Haidri's decision captivated the Pakistani media with television channels providing live coverage of his twin weddings, reports the BBC.

At first he refused to marry the woman selected by his family since childhood because he loved someone else.

Mr Haidri's love for 21-year-old Rumana Aslam - ahead of 28-year-old Humaira Qasim - threatened to split his family apart.

Then came the compromise - he offered to marry both women in weddings 24 hours apart in the central Pakistani city of Multan.

"I gave this offer that I will marry both of them," said Mr Haidri, 23. "Both the girls agreed. It is very rare that two women are happily agreeing to marry one man."

The two women told journalists they plan to live as sisters and friends: "I am happy that we both love the same man," said Ms Aslam.

Pakistani law allows polygamy because it interprets Islam to allow a man to have up to four wives.

Men who take multiple wives usually do so after a period of several years - and must get approval from their first wife prior to a second marriage.