Ansar Abbasi wins Rs20.1m in damages

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 November 2013

Ansar Abbasi, a journalist with The News, won Rs20.1 million in damages from Waqt News and its anchor following defamatory claims made on air. The Islamabad court ruled in favor of Abbasi, stating that the allegations had severely harmed his reputation.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad District and Sessions Court has ordered Waqt News, its anchor Ameer Abbas and a guest on one of his shows to pay The News journalist Ansar Abbasi Rs20.1 million in damages.

The guest Arshad Ansari, President of the Lahore Press Club, accused Ansar of taking bribes and setting up factories in Dubai during the program 'News Special' aired on January 1, 2013.

Ansar filed the case under Defamation Ordinance 2002 on February 23. He contended the program was malicious and defamatory with absolute falsehood being attributed to him by Arshad.

The News reported Thursday that Ansar's lawyer told the court his client "enjoyed good reputation among the public and is a credible journalist but a private channel aired such a malicious program against him which has hurt his reputation among his family, friends and the public."

The complete script of the program and a CD was produced in the court, the paper said.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Azam Khan while announcing the verdict wrote: "The defendants have neither appeared nor denied the same as they were proceeded against ex parte and, hence the claim of the plaintiff has not been rebutted; therefore, the plaintiff has successfully proved his claim."

KEY POINTS:

• Islamabad court rules in favor of journalist Ansar Abbasi.
• He received Rs20.1 million in damages for defamation.
• Allegations included bribery and setting up factories in Dubai.
• Defendants did not appear in court to contest the claims.
• The ruling emphasizes the importance of protecting public reputation.