Imran Khan begins legal battle against Geo News in UK
Imran Khan started a legal battle against Geo News in the UK for levelling allegations of selling an wristwatch from Toshakhana.
LAHORE: Former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has started a legal battle against the private news channel Geo News in the United Kingdom (UK) for his defamation by levelling allegations of selling an expensive wristwatch from Toshakhana to Umar Farooq Zahoor.
Imran Khan sent a legal notice in London against Geo TV Limited after consulting his legal experts after the private news channel accused the PTI chief of corruption by selling expensive gifts from Toshakhana. Legal experts have called this decision of Imran Khan the best strategy.
The recent development by the PTI chairman came after the allegation made by Geo News in an interview a few weeks ago that Farhat Shehzadi alias Farah Gogi and the former PM Khan’s aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar sold wristwatch, cufflinks and pens to a Norwegian-Pakistani businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor which were gifted to Imran Khan by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In a Twitter message, Khan said, “Had instructed lawyers in UK, incldng Leading Counsel,to start legal proceedings against Geo TV Limited pursuant to the Pre Action Protocol for Media & Communications Claims.A formal letter of claim has been served today on Geo TV Limited in London & they have 14 days to respond.”
Had instructed lawyers in UK, incldng Leading Counsel,to start legal proceedings against Geo TV Limited pursuant to the Pre Action Protocol for Media & Communications Claims.A
formal letter of claim has been served today on Geo TV Limited in London & they have 14 days to respond— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 5, 2022
It should be noted that Norwegian-Pakistani businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor claimed in the Geo News program “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath” last month that he bought an expensive watch and three gifts from Farah Gogi, a close friend of the former prime minister’s wife.
Later, Dubai-based company Style Out Watches denied rumours of selling or buying of Toshakhana souvenirs.
On November 16, Khan tweeted, “Enough is enough. Yesterday Geo & Khanzada supported by Handlers slandered me through a baseless story cooked up by a known fraudster & internationally wanted criminal. I have spoken to my lawyers & I plan to sue Geo, Khanzada & the fraudster not only in Pak but also in UK & UAE.”
Enough is enough. Yesterday Geo & Khanzada supported by Handlers slandered me through a baseless story cooked up by a known fraudster & internationally wanted criminal. I have spoken to my lawyers & I plan to sue Geo, Khanzada & the fraudster not only in Pak but also in UK & UAE.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 16, 2022
Legal experts said there are two major reasons for starting a legal battle in the UK by Imran Khan that he has two NGOs in London including Al-Qadir trust and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust which collect charity funds from the UK and around the world.
They added that Imran Khan will say in his argument that he collects charity funds from the UK taxpayers and if he is a corrupt person, then why he is being given funds. They said Khan will ask the British court to hold accountable those parties who had falsely accused him of corruption.
