LAHORE: A defamation tribunal on Tuesday accepted a defamation suit filed by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari and directed Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Moeenud Din Riaz Qureshi to pay her Rs3 million in damages.
Bokhari had sought Rs840 million in damages, alleging that Qureshi had made baseless and fabricated accusations against her. She maintained that the allegations were broadcast on television and circulated on social media, including through the official social media account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), reaching millions of people.
The minister contended that the statements had severely damaged her reputation, dignity and credibility. The case stemmed from remarks made by Qureshi following the visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to the Punjab Assembly on December 26, 2025. Qureshi had alleged that journalists who questioned Afridi during the visit were paid employees of the provincial information minister. The tribunal observed that Qureshi had admitted making the statements during a television programme but failed to produce evidence to substantiate his allegations.
It further noted that Qureshi’s lawyers could not establish the claims during their arguments and consequently allowed Bokhari’s defamation suit, awarding her Rs3 million in damages.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026