The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has claimed damages of Rs 500 million from a Lahore-based daily for publishing a self-designed and sensational sticker and associating it with the MQM. The legal notice by the MQM was issued through senior advocates of the High Court Nawab Mirza, Iqbal Qadri and Agha Zafar on Monday. The legal notice said that according to the Press and Publications Ordinance and the recently issued ordinance in this concern, no author (reporter), editor, publisher or printer is allowed to level fake, baseless or self-generated allegations against any individual or organisation.
It added that the said newspaper had committed an act, which according to the PPC, is a criminal act.
The legal notice has asked the newspaper to prove the publication's truth within 14 days or otherwise pay damages to the MQM of Rs 500 million within seven days for tarnishing its image and harming its goodwill.
Moreover, if the defendant fails to pay damages within the stipulated time, the case would be taken to the court of law and the defendant would be responsible to bear all expenses in this regard.