Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has sought Rs5 billion in damages from federal minister and political ally Chaudhry Salik Hussain over his allegations of corruption in Punjab, according to a legal notice served on the minister.
The six-page notice, issued on Maryam’s behalf by Additional Advocate General Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, relates to remarks made by Salik during an interview with a private television channel on November 2.
Salik had said he did not possess evidence but heard stories about corruption in Punjab every day, as per the notice. He further remarked that corruption-related files had filled “entire cupboards” in the province, the notice mentioned.
The notice disputes the assertions, maintaining that Salik had failed to identify any document, official inquiry, audit observation, investigation, complaint or other verifiable source to substantiate his remarks.
It calls upon the recipients to withdraw the disputed allegations and publish an “unconditional and unequivocal apology and clarification” with prominence equivalent to that given to the original remarks.
The notice also seeks removal or correction of the disputed portions of the interview and related material, besides demanding Rs5 billion in damages over what it describes as harm caused to the chief minister’s reputation.
The recipients have been given seven days to comply with the demands, failing which the chief minister could initiate legal proceedings, including under the Punjab Defamation Act, 2024.
Maryam had challenged Salik to present evidence
The legal notice follows a public exchange between Maryam and Salik over his remarks about corruption in the provincial administration.
Addressing a ceremony in Attock earlier, the chief minister challenged the federal minister to produce evidence supporting his assertions and warned that she would take him to court if he failed to do so.
“You are a federal minister. Don’t make allegations, present evidence,” Maryam had said.
She also linked Salik’s criticism to the appointment of the deputy commissioner in Gujrat, saying he was unhappy because an officer of his choice had not been posted to the district.
Salik subsequently stood by his remarks, maintaining that corruption was taking place in Punjab.
“I stand by my statement. Corruption is taking place in Punjab,” he said.
The federal minister also rejected Maryam’s assertion about the Gujrat deputy commissioner’s appointment, saying he had not sought the posting of any particular officer and that a DC was already serving in the district. –Agencies
