Urdu language TV channel 92 News has ceased operations and transmission in the UK following a defamation lawsuit filed by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The lawsuit, lodged at the UK High Court, stemmed from a programme aired by the channel in the UK, which falsely accused Maryam Nawaz of taking Toshakhana gifts in violation of rules and conspiring with bureaucrats.
Read More: Yieldstreet Faces Renewed Scrutiny Amid Allegations of Financial Misconduct
92 News/Glaxy has previously lost defamation cases to Senator and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and PMLN UK vice president Nasir Mahmood, leading to apologies and financial penalties. The channel owes over £200,000 to Nasir Mahmood by court order, and the potential costs of Maryam Nawaz’s case were estimated at around £250,000 with a clear loss legal opinion to the channel.
Termination of UK Operations
Sources from 92 News in both the UK and Pakistan confirmed that the channel terminated its services from 1st August 2024 after being advised by its UK lawyers that it would likely lose the defamation case to Maryam Nawaz, incurring significant legal fees and damage rewards.
Last month, the channel notified the UK government’s TV regulator and Sky management that it would cease broadcasting in the UK after 31st July 2024.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Maryam Nawaz initiated the case against 92 News/Glaxy following allegations made by anchors Amir Mateen and Sarwat Valim in the Muqabil programme on 17th November 2022.
They accused Maryam of taking a Toshakhana watch worth a million rupees for only 45,000 rupees, facilitated by bureaucratic corruption. Her lawyers refuted these claims, seeking an apology and damages, arguing that the false allegations caused significant harm to her reputation. The channel admitted it had no defense for the allegations, citing that the anchors were misled by social media following the Toshakhana scandal disclosures.
Represented by Stone White Solicitors, Maryam Nawaz’s case was scheduled for trial later this year. However, the channel decided to shut down and liquidate its operations to avoid heavy damages and costs.
The disputed broadcast was aired in the UK and Pakistan after the federal government released a list of state officials who received Toshakhana gifts since 2002, following Lahore High Court’s directives. The list included notable figures like former premier Imran Khan, former president Asif Ali Zardari, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who kept valuable items after making partial payments.
PMLN’s Stance and Vindication
A PMLN spokesman in Lahore stated that Maryam Nawaz had never benefited from Toshakhana and that the allegations were baseless. He added, “Maryam Nawaz launched the case in the UK to clear her name and stands vindicated as 92 News admitted during proceedings that it had no evidence. The channel knew it would face severe punishment for broadcasting false news, leading to its decision to liquidate and end UK operations.”
92 News issued a statement saying, “We have decided to shut down UK operations. We have come off the Sky, and our operations are no longer available.”
This article was received directly from the reporter.