Benazir sends ‘defamation’ notice to Arbab
ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto has sent a legal notice to Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim demanding cash compensation of Rs100 million for allegedly defaming her by “levelling baseless, malicious, concocted and fabricated allegations” against her.
The legal notice has been issued through her counsel Senator Farooq Naek.
The chief minister, while talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Oct 24, had alleged that Ms Bhutto had plundered national wealth of around Rs90 billion and that she must return the amount. The notice says that the “wild and false allegation” was aimed at “character assassination of a formidable people’s leader risking her life to save Pakistan by saving democracy and bringing change through Awami Raj”. It says the “false and fabricated allegation” has “disreputed and defamed” the reputation of Ms Bhutto.
The notice informed Mr Rahim that the ‘damage’ caused to Ms Bhutto could be compensated only by publishing an apology in newspapers and by payment of compensation of Rs100 million, which would be given to charitable organisations in the country.