News Desk |
A sessions court in Lahore issued on Wednesday a notice to anchorperson Sami Ibrahim in connection with a defamation suit filed by Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry.
On July 5, Chaudhry filed a defamation suit against the journalist for making “false allegations” against him “without any legal justification in order to defame and blackmail him”. As per Chaudhry’s petition, a “series of continuous defamatory allegations were made by accused as [a] TV anchor and on social media”.
The minister, in his suit, claimed that Ibrahim had alleged that the minister was working in collusion with India’s spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) against the interests of Pakistan and “a conspiracy has been hatched to dismantle [the prime minister] PM of Pakistan and the Government.”
Additional Sessions Judge Amjad Ali Shah issued a notice to Ibrahim with directions to submit a reply on July 19.
“It is a very serious allegation against a sitting federal minister and it not only caused an immense loss to the reputation and political credibility of [the] complainant but it also threatened the national security of Pakistan,” Chaudhry’s petition read.
“Allegation that a sitting federal minister is spying for foreign agencies is of a very serious nature which caused a stir in the public and has caused insecurity and distrust among the public at large about the security and wellbeing of Pakistan,” he stated.
According to the minister, after putting him in “fear of injury to his reputation and political stature,” Ibrahim had attempted to extort money from Chaudhry. […] on failure [he] started a defamatory campaign against the complainant which resulted in defamation as defined under Pakistan Penal Code, hence accused should be proceeded against in accordance with the law.”
Read more: Science minister-cum-social media celebrity – Fawad Chaudhry
In his petition, Chaudhry has called for Ibrahim to be summoned and punished in accordance with the law. Additional Sessions Judge Amjad Ali Shah issued a notice to Ibrahim with directions to submit a reply on July 19.
Fawad Chaudhry Loses Cool, Slaps Anchorperson Sami Ibrahim
Recently, tensions between Chaudhry and Ibrahim intensified after the latter accused the former of slapping him at a wedding event in Faisalabad. According to Ibrahim, the minister swore at him, slapped him and left the venue.
The incident, which seemed to be an extension of the ongoing spat between the two, happened at the wedding ceremony of 92 News owner Mian Rasheed’s daughter in Faisalabad. Reportedly, the incident took place at the exit point.
Read more: Is social media not happy with Fawad Chaudhry’s departure?
According to Ibrahim, Chaudhry slapped him and then left with his guards. People present at the event, however, said that they were surprised to learn about the incident as the whole episode might have taken roughly 30 seconds or a minute at the main gate of the wedding hall.
Later, Ibrahim had filed an application to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mansoorabad police station in Faisalabad. As per the image floating on social media, Sami Ibrahim had filed an FIR of unprovoked physical assault against Chaudhry.
https://twitter.com/MianZahoor11/status/1139873678550847489
Following the incident, Chaudhry was subjected to criticism from journalists and several others on social media. He, however, had refused to surrender in front of, what he calls, a ‘Yellow Journalist’, in his tweet.
آپ کو غصہ صرف امیر anchors کیلئےکیوں آتا ہے جب عابد راہی جیسے سیلف میڈ غریب صحافیوں کو سمیع ابراہیم جیسےمافیاز تنخواہیں نہیں دیتے اس وقت آپ کی صحافت خطرے میں کیوں نہیں آتی؟دراصل صحافت کو خطرہ زرد صحافیوں سے ہے اور زرد صحافت کیخلاف مہم چلانا ہو گی #NoToYellowJournalism https://t.co/XRgf7Yjkbe
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) June 15, 2019
Nothing justifies physical abuse. NOTHING, Mr Science Ch.#SamiIbrahim https://t.co/Jy1osTm3hw
— Humaira Shoaib (@HumairaShoaib) June 15, 2019
Chaudhry in his tweet had earlier stated that he would file a defamation case against Ibrahim and would avenge himself and defend his image for the conspiracies made against him, through a legal course. He had stated that he had already initiated criminal proceedings against Ibrahim.
Have initiated criminal proceedings against #PoniTail and his abbu jan for defamation another #Tidda must know I saved him in the past from many cases he is too small physically and mentally lesson ll be taught as per law
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) June 14, 2019