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.
May 09, 2025: In a bizarre media meltdown, Indian TV channels declared war on Pakistan, claimed imaginary victories and pushed fake narratives—leaving even Indian viewers stunned and apologetic.
May 05, 2025: India has banned prominent Pakistani journalist Rana Mubashir’s YouTube channel, expanding its crackdown on 16 other Pakistani media outlets. The move follows accusations of "false narratives" against India.
May 03, 2025: Pakistan's press freedom under severe threat as PFUJ condemns repressive laws and systematic journalist harassment on World Press Freedom Day. Union reports journalist killings, financial targeting, and government failure to implement safety measures.
May 02, 2025: Dawn has strongly denied publishing any report claiming that TTP stole a PAF F-16 fighter jet, labeling the viral screenshot as fake and digitally manipulated.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
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.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.