Pak-American tech entrepreneur Zia Chishti wins defamation case against magazine

LONDON/LAHORE: Pakistani-American tech entrepreneur Zia Chishti has won a major defamation lawsuit against a magazine and its editor.

Narratives Magazine had levelled serious accusations against Mr. Chishti, labelling his reputation as “toxic” and citing allegations of sexual misconduct and violation of securities and other corporate laws against him.

Zia Chishti is a tech entrepreneur who founded the multi-billion-dollar company behind Invisalign dental braces and founded the multi-billion-dollar artificial intelligence company Afiniti. In 2018, the then President Mamnoon Hussain awarded Mr. Chishti the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2018.

Additional District Judge Lahore Muhammad Farhan Nabi has ruled that Mr. Chishti was defamed without any basis and out of malice.

Judge Muhammad Farhan Nabi stated that the magazine had offered no credible evidence whatsoever in its defense, causing Mr. Chishti severe damage.

The court decreed Rs5 million damages in Mr Chishti’s favour, stating that the editor “is also directed to publish a clarification along with apology in his magazine regarding the article in question.”

When reached for comment, Mr. Chishti stated: “I thank the court for providing me justice. I also want to thank my family and my closest friends for standing with me through exceptionally difficult times. This is the first of many cases I intend to win as the truth increasingly comes to light.”

Harvard Professor Emeritus and renowned litigator Alan Dershowitz took a personal interest in the proceedings. He commented in a statement: “I have advised Mr. Chishti and followed this case with interest. It is part of a broader set of defamation lawsuits brought by Mr. Chishti. Many in politics, business, and the press rushed to judge Mr. Chishti simply on the allegations levelled against him, without giving him any opportunity to establish his innocence.”

“By setting the record straight in the courts, Mr. Chishti is taking a brave step both towards clearing his name, and towards finding a better balance between the rights of the accuser and the accused,” Mr Dershowitz added.

Mr. Chishti was represented in this case by barrister Mr. Faisal Nawaz.

Magazine Editor Amir Zia told this reporter he had provided an initial response to the lawyers of Zia Chishti, adding he will challenge the verdict.