JournalismPakistan.com | Published September 03, 2014
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: A legal notice has been served on ARY Television's President and Chief Executive Salman Iqbal, program host Mubashir Luqman (pictured) and Islamabad Bureau Chief Sabir Shakir by 10 prominent journalists/analysts/columnists.
The defamation notice sent by Advocate Babar Sattar seeks Rs 100million in damages from each of the three ARY men for each of the 10 individuals - Talat Hussain, Hamid Mir, Ansar Abbasi, Saleem Safi, Ejaz Haider, Naseem Zehra, Meher Aabbasi, Rana Jawad, Absar Alam and Javed Chaudhry.
The notice relates to allegations in the program Khara Such on ARY Television hosted by Mubashir on 21-08-2014 that claimed the Prime Minister House had disbursed funds to various journalists two days before the date of the program.
The notice said "it was further alleged and insinuated that various journalists and anchorpersons had also gone to meet with the Prime Minister on the date of the program."
"Subsequently on 22-08-2014, Mr Luqman and Mr Shakir appeared on Khara Such where they broke the news that a list of journalists and anchorpersons had emerged who had received money from the Nawaz Sharif Government and their job objective was "diffuse the political situation."
It is also stated in the notice that two posts were shared on the Facebook page of Khara Such on 28-08-2014 and 29-08-2014 linking the earlier breaking news with a list of 20 journalists including our clients who were allegedly given the task by the Nawaz Sharif Government of 'creating a favorable media response toward the current political situation" in lieu of payment of illegal funds that they dishonestly accepted (collectively, Defamatory Statements).”
"By reason of the aforementioned, you are hereby given notice under Section 8 of the Defamation Ordinance 2002, of the intention of our clients to bring an action for damages on account of defamation, unless each of you pay a sum of Rs 100 million to each of our clients as damages, withdraw the defamatory statements publicly and communicate to our clients an unqualified apology within three days of the receipt of this notice," the notice says.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.