Azma Bokhari wins defamation case against opposition leader

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has won a defamation case against Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi over allegations he made during a television program concerning the visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to the Punjab Assembly.

The Lahore Defamation Tribunal ruled in Bokhari’s favor after she filed a damages suit alleging that Qureshi’s remarks had harmed her reputation. 

The case stemmed from Qureshi’s allegation that Bokhari had arranged for between 150 and 200 paid individuals to enter the assembly premises during Afridi’s visit. He also alleged that journalists who questioned the KP chief minister were paid employees of the provincial information minister.

Bokhari denied the allegations and approached the tribunal under the Punjab Defamation Act, seeking Rs84 million in compensation.

According to reports, Qureshi acknowledged making the statements during the program but failed to produce evidence to substantiate his claims. His legal team also failed to establish a defense against the minister’s allegations.