In a major development, PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed a defamation case against Geo TV, its anchor Shahzeb Khanzada and businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor in UAE over leveling allegations regarding Toshakhana gifts.
According to the details revealed by Imran Khan, his lawyers led by Hassan Shad had filed criminal defamation (libel and slander) proceedings under UAE law against Geo TV, Shahzeb Khanzada, and Umer Farooq Zahoor.
“My UAE lawyers led by Hassan Shad have now filed criminal defamation (libel and slander) proceedings under UAE law against Geo TV, Shahzeb Khanzada, and fraudster Umer Farooq Zahoor,” Imran Khan said on Twitter.
My UAE lawyers led by Hassan Shad have now filed criminal defamation (libel and slander) proceedings under UAE law against Geo TV, Shahzeb Khanzada and fraudster Umer Farooq Zahoor.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 17, 2022
A month ago, Imran Khan announced taking legal action and filing a defamation case against Geo and Jang Group, journalist Shahzaib Khanzada, and Dubai-based businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor for the allegations leveled against him regarding the Toshakhana gifts.
Imran Khan said enough is enough, and called out the media house and the journalist for “slandering” him through a “baseless story”.
Read more: Farah Gogi serves defamation notice to Umar Farooq Zahoor for Rs 5B
Claims made by Umar Farooq Zahoor
Dubai-based businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor claimed that he purchased an expensive watch originally gifted to Imran Khan by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman from Farah Gogi and PTI leader Shahzad Akbar.
Umar Farooq Zahoor claimed that he has evidence to prove he bought the rare watch and three other Toshakhana gifts from Farhat Shahzadi, also known as Farah Gogi, for 7.5 million Dirhams in cash.
The millionaire businessman gave an interview to Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo channel and showed evidence of the purchase as well as all the Toshakhana gifts he owns now. He also alleged that he was later on blackmailed and fake cases of money laundering were registered against him by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at the behest of Shahzad Akbar.
The story has raised a storm in Pakistan and Imran Khan got criticized, especially by the PML-N camp. PTI completely rejected the allegations, however, leaders from the ruling coalition continued to berate PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Read more: PTI rejects claims made by Dubai businessman on Imran Khan’s Toshakhana gifts