Defamation case by Finance Minister Dar

Court summons channel’s CEO, anchors on June 17

ISLAMABAD: The spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance said here Monday that Additional District Judge, Islamabad-West had summoned ARY Chief Executive Officer, Salman Iqbal, anchors Arshad Sharif and Assad Kharal to appear for hearing on June 17, 2016 on suits filed by the finance minister.

The Spokesperson recalled that taking strong exception to the slanderous telecasts and publications against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar by ARY News through its Programme "News @ 3 with Maria Memon" aired on 16th April 2016, legal notices were served on ARY Chief Executive Officer, Salman Iqbal and anchors Arshad Sharif and Assad Kharal for airing libelous content and alleging that finance minister held a meeting with Panamian Deputy Minister for Economy, Ivan Zarak in Washington, without seeking any confirmation.

As per legal notices, the respondents were called upon publishing apology in reputed Urdu and English dailies and also broadcast the same with prominence within fifteen days of the legal notices. In addition, each of them also had been asked to pay a sum of rupees one billion to the finance minister in damages failing which legal proceedings against them would be initiated.

The spokesperson added that the Panamian Deputy Minister, Ivan Zarak had denied such a meeting was ever held with finance minister. Furthermore the Panamian Government also sent a message of apology to finance minister over the incorrect statement given by their deputy minister. Now the Additional District Judge Islamabad-West had issued summons to the three respondents in this case for a hearing on June 17, 2016.