LAHORE (Kashmir English): Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Tuesday won a defamation case against Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi, with the latter ordered to pay Rs3 million in general damages.
Earlier this year in January, Bokhari had filed a defamation suit seeking damages of Rs84 million under the Defamation Act over remarks made by Qureshi during a television programme concerning the visit of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to the Punjab Assembly.
The Punjab Defamation Tribunal Lahore ruled that Qureshi admitted making the remarks during the television programme but failed to present evidence to substantiate his allegations.
The tribunal ruled in Bokhari’s favour and issued a short order, while a detailed judgment is expected to be issued later.
“The claim of the plaintiff is hereby decreed up to the extent of general damages amounting to Rupees three million (Rs3,000,000),” the tribunal said.
Lawyer Ali Bukhari presented arguments on behalf of Bokhari in the defamation case.
Qureshi had alleged that Bokhari allowed between 150 and 200 paid individuals to enter the Punjab Assembly during Afridi’s visit.
He had also claimed that journalists who questioned the KP chief minister were paid employees of the provincial information minister.
The information minister rejected the allegations, describing them as “false and fabricated” and accusing the PTI leader of attempting to damage her reputation.
