Journalist serves Rs20Billion Notice to Tahir-ul-Qadri

Islamabad: Renowned anchor and journalist Arshad Sharif has served a Rs20 Billion legal notice to Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri for harassment and attempting to muzzle the freedom of the press through intimidation and in violation of Constitutional provisions.

Barrister Shoib Razzaq, in the legal notice sent to Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s lawyer Ali Zafar, said a journalist could not be forced to disclose his source as the same is a privileged communication protected under Qanun-I-Shahadat Ordinance 1984.

The legal notice sent by Barrister Shoib Razzaq said Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri attempted to tarnish the reputation of his client and violated the Constitutional provisions related to freedoms of citizens by attempting to strangulate freedom of the press and media.

Barrister Razzaq said his client had raised a question and made matter of fact statement with reference to meetings of Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique with Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and the same were a matter of public record.

Moreover,  Barrister Shoib Razzaq said his client had referred to a statement of Raja Riaz, a leader of Pakistan People’s Party who is on record claiming that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri had struck a deal to call off his Dharna.

Barrister Shoib Razzaq said his client enjoyed excellent reputation for honesty and integrity and the same had been damaged by a malicious legal notice.

Barrister Shoib Razzaq demanded unconditional apology from Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri failing which he would initiate legal proceedings and file a suit for damages and harassment amounting to Rs20 Billion.