ISLAMABAD: London’s famous English newspaper _ Daily Mail apologized to Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for publishing a baseless article of journalist David Rose which accused Shehbaz of embezzling UK’s assistance for earthquake victims help.
In a notice “Correction and Clarification” published on its website, Daily Mail said that it had published a report on July 14, 2019 which accused Shehbaz of embezzling funds for earthquake relief. Below is the screenshot of apology published by Daily Mail today.
According to Daily Mail, the report was based on documents of the National Accountability Bureau. In its apology, the newspaper, however, stated that the NAB had never accused Shehbaz of any wrongdoing.
“We are pleased to make this clear and apologize to Mr Sharif for this error.”
Shehbaz Sharif had been in litigation against Daily Mail over the 2019 article. In 2020, Shehbaz Sharif (then opposition leader), had filed a case in the London High Court challenging the British daily and its reporter David Rose for publishing a “fabricated and defamatory” report against him in July 2019.
Shehbaz said, “It was a fabricated and defamatory story which was published in the Daily Mail. It was a part of propaganda launched by [then prime minister] Imran Khan Niazi against the PML-N.”
Earlier this year, the court ruled in favor of Shehbaz Sharif, but that verdict was appealed and the appeals court in November sought a statement from Shehbaz.
The prime minister’s legal reply failed to comply with the requirements set by the court, Shehbaz could see his case thrown out and even cover legal costs of Daily Mail. The next hearing was set for December 13.
