- Marwat accused of spreading false claims on TV exhibits.
- Authorized discover cites violation of Defamation Ordinance.
- 14-day ultimatum for apology or authorized motion will observe.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra has issued a defamation discover to former fellow celebration member Sher Afzal Marwat, demanding Rs1 billion in damages for alleged false accusations.
The discover, despatched via Jhagra’s authorized representatives, stems from Marwat’s televised claims relating to monetary misconduct.
In line with the authorized discover, Marwat falsely alleged throughout two televised speak exhibits on March 11, 2025, that Jhagra had embezzled Rs36 billion from the pension fund. The discover highlights that Marwat additionally accused Jhagra of buying helpful properties in Hayatabad and Islamabad utilizing illicit funds.
Jhagra’s authorized counsel, Advocate Ali Gohar Durrani, mentioned that these allegations had been baseless, malicious, and defamatory, aimed solely at damaging Jhagra’s social {and professional} repute. The discover categorically denies the accusations, stating they lack factual foundation and violate Pakistan’s Defamation Ordinance, 2002.
The discover calls for that Marwat stop and desist from making additional defamatory remarks, concern a public apology via TV channels and social media platforms the place the defamatory statements circulated, retract his statements and make clear the misinformation publicly, and pay Rs1 billion in compensation for reputational {and professional} damages.
Failure to adjust to these calls for inside 14 days will end in civil and prison proceedings, the discover warns.
Responding to the authorized motion, Jhagra took to social media, saying: “See you in courtroom, Marwat. No operating away now.” In the meantime, his authorized consultant, Durrani, confirmed on X that the defamation discover had been formally served. Marwat has but to reply publicly to the discover.
The event follows rising tensions inside PTI relating to Marwat’s controversial statements and actions.
Final month, PTI founder Imran Khan, at the moment incarcerated, ordered Marwat’s speedy expulsion from the celebration for repeated violations of celebration self-discipline.
The choice was made after Marwat made controversial remarks at a Swabi rally in opposition to alleged election rigging, the place he claimed that “dangerous folks” like him had been useful throughout tough occasions, whereas “good folks” remained silent.
Khan expressed outrage over Marwat’s statements and directed the celebration management to concern a proper termination of his membership.
Marwat has regularly been at odds with PTI’s management and has overtly criticized celebration choices. He responded to his expulsion by arguing that his unwavering help for PTI in tough occasions had been ignored and that his stance was by no means correctly heard earlier than his elimination.
Moreover, Marwat just lately stirred additional controversy by accusing PTI’s abroad influencers of prioritising private monetary positive aspects over the celebration’s pursuits.
He claimed that lots of PTI’s worldwide supporters had been extra centered on securing donations and profitable engagements moderately than strengthening the celebration’s political motion.