Finance minister serves legal notices on ARY CEO, two anchors

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 9 years ago

ISLAMABAD - An official spokesperson said Thursday that Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar (pictured) has taken strong exception to the defamatory and slanderous telecasts/publications against him by ARY News through its program “News @ 3 with Maria Memon” aired on April 16, 2016.

According to a press release, the spokesman said legal notices have been served on ARY CEO, Salman Iqbal, anchors Arshad Sharif and Assad Kharal for airing libelous content and alleging that Finance Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Panamian Deputy Minister for Economy, Ivan Zarak in Washington, without seeking any confirmation.

The Finance Ministry’s spokesperson forthwith rebuffed reports about Panamian Deputy Minister, Ivan Zarak’s meeting with Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar but the ARY tirade against the minister went unabated.

The spokesperson said the fact remains that the totally fictitious content of telecast/publications by ARY were meant to malign the finance minister and put to question his personal integrity and ruin the good name that he has earned during his prestigious career as a professional and a political figure, spanning over four decades.

The release said the program violated provisions of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and the Electronic Media (Program and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 by publishing and transmitting false and incorrect statements in an irresponsible manner.

The spokesperson said that legal notices on Mr. Salman Iqbal (ARY), Mr. Arshad Sharif and Mr. Asad Kharal have been served under section 8 of the Defamation Ordinance 2002. The respondents have been called upon to publish apology in reputed Urdu and English dailies and also broadcast the same with prominence within 15 days. In addition, each of them also has been asked to pay a sum of Rsone billion each to the finance minister in damages failing which legal proceedings against them would be initiated.

Further, a complaint has also been registered with PEMRA under section 26(2) of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 against ARY channel, its CEO and the anchors named above for airing a slanderous and libelous program about the finance minister, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said that the Panamian Deputy Minister, Ivan Zarak’s denial of the report about meeting with finance minister and Panamian government’s message of apology to finance minister over the incorrect statement given by their Deputy Minister, doubly confirms finance minister’s denial of ARY’s news telecast and more than that strengthens finance minister’s stance taken against ARY CEO and the anchors.
    
 

Dive Deeper

Russia slams Pakistan’s Frontier Post for ‘Western bias’; newspaper hits back

 November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistan’s Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.

Javed Chaudhry signs off from Express News after 18 years on ‘Kal Tak’

 November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.

Why only Nukta, Mr. Minister? Media workers question government's selective support

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.

Information Minister Tarar announces jobs for all 37 laid-off Nukta employees

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.

Faisal Chaudhry’s viral one-liner on G for Gharidah steals the show

 November 05, 2025: PTI’s Faisal Chaudhry’s witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTV’s “G for Gharidah” goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.

A digital dream falters: Nukta cuts 37 jobs in Pakistan after only one year

 November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.

Talat Hussain says offensive viral clip was edited out, not aired on Samaa TV

 November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.

PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007 emergency as Pakistan’s darkest day

 November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.