ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra has served a Rs1 billion defamation notice to former party member Sher Afzal Marwat, accusing him of spreading false and damaging allegations.
The legal action follows Marwat’s televised statements on March 11, 2025, where he alleged that Jhagra had embezzled Rs36 billion from the pension fund and had acquired valuable properties in Hayatabad and Islamabad through illicit means.
Jhagra’s Response and Legal Demands
The legal notice, issued by Jhagra’s counsel Advocate Ali Gohar Durrani, states that Marwat’s claims were baseless, malicious, and defamatory, intended to damage Jhagra’s reputation. It asserts that the accusations have no factual basis and constitute a violation of Pakistan’s Defamation Ordinance, 2002.
Jhagra demands that Marwat:
- Immediately stop making defamatory statements.
- Issue a public apology via television and social media.
- Publicly retract and clarify the false claims.
- Pay Rs1 billion in damages for reputational harm.
Failure to comply within 14 days will result in civil and criminal proceedings, the notice warns.
Marwat’s Expulsion from PTI and Ongoing Controversies
Jhagra took to social media, challenging Marwat: “See you in court, Marwat. No running away now.” His lawyer confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the defamation notice had been officially served.
The development comes amid rising tensions within PTI, following Marwat’s expulsion from the party last month by its founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated. Marwat was removed over repeated violations of party discipline, including his controversial remarks at a Swabi rally where he criticized party leadership and hinted at election rigging.
Additionally, Marwat recently stirred further controversy by accusing PTI’s overseas supporters of prioritizing personal financial interests over the party’s cause.
