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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has issued a legal notice demanding Rs10 billion from Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel for making “disparaging and malicious” allegations against him.
The notice was served in response to Patel’s press conference held on May 26, during which he shared purported details from Khan’s medical report. The report was obtained after Khan underwent an examination at PIMS hospital following his arrest on May 9. According to the notice, the press conference was widely viewed in Pakistan and worldwide through various media platforms, including electronic channels, YouTube, and social media, and its contents were published in national and international newspapers.
The legal notice accuses Patel of disseminating false, baseless, misleading, erroneous, and defamatory information. Specifically, Patel alleged that Khan’s medical report indicated excessive alcohol consumption, failed to mention a leg fracture, and suggested unstable mental health.
Under Section 8 of the Defamation Ordinance, 2002, the PTI chairman’s notice requests Patel to retract his statements, offer an unconditional apology, acknowledge the misrepresentation of information, pay Rs10 billion for defamation and false allegations, and refrain from making further defamatory remarks in the future.
The notice warns Patel to comply within 15 days, failing which Khan will initiate legal proceedings against him. It also states that any costs associated with the legal proceedings and the resulting consequences will be the responsibility of Patel.
Furthermore, the notice specifies that any damages received through the defamation case will be donated to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
The notice questions Patel about the allegations made during the press conference, including claims regarding alcohol consumption in urine samples and the absence of details regarding manhandling and trauma suffered by Khan.
The notice highlights that Patel’s comments were made knowingly, deliberately, and maliciously, contradicting ethical and moral principles. It further asserts that as a cabinet minister, Patel’s remarks and comments violate the standards and ethics expected of him.
The notice emphasizes that Patel’s defamatory statements have caused harm to Khan’s reputation, goodwill, and honor, as well as emotional trauma and distress.
Allegations: During a press conference in Karachi, Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel referred to details from Imran Khan’s medical report, suggesting excessive alcohol consumption, the absence of a fracture on his leg, and unstable mental health.
Patel claimed that the medical report did not mention a foot fracture sustained by Khan following an assassination attempt on November 3. He also mentioned that Khan’s urine sample showed the presence of toxic elements and indicated excessive alcohol and cocaine usage.
According to Patel, the report raised concerns about Khan’s mental health, stating that his actions and body language were inconsistent with those of a mentally fit person.
Note: The article presents information from the given source and does not verify the accuracy of the claims made by either party.
