On November 4, the Punjab government announced its decision to file a defamation case against journalist Ahmad Faraz in the Defamation Tribunal for allegedly spreading false information about Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that she would file the case on behalf of the Chief Minister in the recently established Defamation Tribunal. She stated that the action was being taken against Ahmad Faraz for “maligning” Maryam Nawaz by circulating what she described as ‘fake news’ regarding a purported conversation between the Chief Minister and Hamza Shehbaz, son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in connection with the Teefi Butt case.
“In a social media programme with another journalist, Azaz Syed, Ahmad Faraz presented a concocted story of a telephone call between Maryam and Hamza in the Teefi Butt matter. Now, this man (Faraz) will have to present proof of his claim in the court and also tell the name of the person(s) who provided him this fake information,” Azma Bokhari said.
Journalist Ahmad Faraz, while speaking to Dawn, said that he had not committed defamation and had only discussed the merits of police encounters based on information from his sources.
Azma Bokhari cautioned that individuals spreading false propaganda involving Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz or Hamza Shehbaz would face legal action in the defamation court.
