Shahbaz sends defamation notices to two TV channels

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday sent legal notices to two private news channels “for spreading speculations about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia”.

The notices have reportedly been sent to ARY and 92 News through Advocate Mustafa Ramday on behalf of the chief minister.

The notice says the news channels aired fake news accusing the chief minister of corruption. It adds that such news items damaged Shahbaz Sharif’s person and character.

The notices say legal action would be taken against the channels if they failed to give response in 14 days.

A number of rumours started making rounds after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister landed in Saudi Arabia last week, claiming a deal is being cooked in the Arab country.

However, CM Shahbaz termed all such rumours baseless and said that the recent tour was not of political or personal nature. Shahbaz said he was to visit the country to perform Umrah and this time Saudi authorities honoured him by sending a special plane for him.

During his visit, Shahbaz Sharif also held a couple of meetings with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, where matters of mutual interest were discussed.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government spokesperson Mohammad Ahmed Khan also rejected the rumours regarding Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia as baseless.

The rumours said Sharif brothers reached the Arab state to strike a NRO-like deal in order to avoid corruption cases, improve relations with the royal family, that deteriorated due to refusing aid against Yemen and for other matters.