LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has filed a defamation case against Moeen Qureshi, the Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, seeking Rs800 million in damages, officials confirmed on Friday. The suit has been filed with the Lahore Defamation Tribunal under section 3 of the Punjab Defamation Act 2024.
Read More: KP CM visit: Azma walks out from PA over ‘ill-treatment’ of journalists
According to the legal filing, Minister Bokhari alleges that Qureshi made baseless and fabricated accusations during a televised talk show, claiming that she facilitated the entry of 150 to 200 paid individuals into the Punjab Assembly during a visit by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The minister maintains that the statements were widely circulated on television and through the official PTI social media channels, reaching millions of viewers.
وزیر اطلاعات پنجاب عظمیٰ بخاری نے اپوزیشن لیڈر پنجاب اسمبلی معین قریشی کے خلاف پہلا ہتک عزت کا کیس دائر کر دیا۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/PiBo5ynRmu
— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) January 23, 2026
The suit argues that the allegations have seriously harmed her reputation, credibility, and dignity, and have undermined public confidence in her office. It seeks a legal directive compelling Qureshi to pay substantial damages to compensate for the reputational harm caused.
Bokhari’s legal team emphasised that freedom of speech does not extend to spreading false and malicious claims against public officials. “Public statements must be based on verifiable facts. Spreading misinformation that damages an individual’s personal and professional standing will be met with legal recourse,” a spokesperson said.
The tribunal is expected to review the petition and may summon Qureshi to present his defence. The case adds to a series of high-profile political disputes in Punjab, highlighting tensions between the ruling party and opposition members in the provincial assembly.
Read More: PML-N to protest over MPAs’ suspension in PA
Legal experts say that the outcome of this case could have wider implications for accountability and responsible conduct in political discourse in Pakistan, especially regarding social media and televised statements.