Friday, May 9, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 2, 1429    

Mirza serves legal notice to Arbab

Karachi—Sindh Home Minister, Dr Zulfikar Mirza has, through his lawyers, sent a legal notice to former Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim asking him to pay Rs 500 million as damages for issuing incorrect and defamatory statements.
The legal notice has been given with reference to a statement given by Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim in which he, while quoting credible reports, had alleged that services of assassins have been hired by the Home Minister and payment made to them in US dollars.
The notice also makes reference to another similar allegation made by him in his statement filed in a petition at Islamabad High Court.
The notice said these statements have injured the reputation of the Home Minister and continues to lower him in the estimation of others and tends to reduce him to ridicule, causing unjust criticism, showing dislikes, contempt and/or hatred.
It said that by these utter incidents orally and visually shown, he has defamed Dr Mirza and are liable to both slander and libel.
It called from Dr Arbab to make visually, in writing and orally make statements tendering a public apology and pay Rs 500 million as general damages or else appropriate defamatory action will be taken.—APP