Bushra Bibi serves legal notice on Maryam for defamation

ISLAMABAD: Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, on Thursday served a legal notice on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz for defamation over corruption allegations.

The former first lady sent a legal notice through her counsel Advocate Faisal Farid. In the notice, an unconditional apology within seven days has been sought from Maryam for allegedly defaming Bushra Bibi.

The notice says that the ruling party leader made false and baseless allegations against the ex-premier’s wife in Lahore on May 1. It warned that a criminal case would be initiated against the PMLN stalwart if she did not retract her allegations against the former first lady.

The text of the speech, wherein Maryam allegedly hurled allegations, has also been made part of the legal notice. The notice said Maryam is running a “malicious campaign” to defame Bushra Bibi and her family. The development comes two days after PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry announced that Bushra Bibi had decided to lodge a criminal case against the PMLN leader over bribery allegations. “She has never participated in any political activities [...] she was only seen visiting Panahgahs [shelter homes],” the PTI leader remarked.

Despite the fact that the former first lady is an apolitical person, Fawad said, Maryam continued to hurl allegations against her. “Therefore, Bushra Bibi has decided to send a legal notice to Maryam Nawaz for making baseless allegations,” he said, adding that the notice will be followed by the filing of a criminal case against the PMLN leader.

Maryam, who is also the senior vice president of the PMLN, has time and again accused the former first lady of receiving bribes — including a diamond set in return for using her influence in official decision-making during the tenure of the Imran Khan-led government.

The PMLN leader had alleged that Farhat Shezadi, a close of Bushra Bibi, remained actively involved in running the day-to-day affairs of the Usman Buzdar-led Punjab government and would also receive bribes for official transfer and postings of the officials.