Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s son Suleman Shehbaz has sent a Rs1 billion defamation notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Ismail for alleging that “he owned a solar panel business and was taking undue benefits from the government.”
The notice was served to Imran Ismail through Suleman’s lawyer, which stated that the former Sindh governor levelled baseless allegations regarding agreements made with Turkish companies over the purchase of solar panels for Pakistan.
The notice read, “everything in those defamatory tweets is nothing but a pack of lies.”
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In a series of tweets on July 3, Imran Ismail alleged that PM Shehbaz Sharif, during his recent visit to Turkey, aided solar energy deals with Ankara, which would benefit Suleman, who runs a company that sells solar panels.
کابینہ کی جانب سے سرکاری عمارتوں کو سولر انرجی پر منتقل کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا گیا ہے، ترکی سے ملکی تعلقات بہتر کرنے کی بجاء شہباز شریف نے دورے میں اپنے بیٹے سلمان شہباز کے سولر انرجی کے معاہدے کروائے اور اب سلمان کی کمپنی سے سولر خریدے جائیں گے
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) July 3, 2022
He said, “Instead of improving ties with Turkey, Shehbaz Sharif aided solar energy deals for his son Suleman Shahbaz during the visit, and now solar panels would be purchased from his [Suleman] company.”
Suleman’s legal counsel warned Ismail to retract his remarks within 14 days and tender an apology. Otherwise, he would have to pay him Rs1 billion as compensation.
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The ex-governor welcomed the notice but asked in what capacity the prime minister’s son had sent him the notice.
“The person who is a fugitive has sent me a notice. I stand by my claim about solar panels. The Sharif family is a business mafia, which uses the country for its businesses.”
https://t.co/5TMeN0yhMb سلمان شہبازکی جانب سے مجھے نوٹس بھیجاگیا ہے، ویلکم کرتاہوں سلمان بتائیں ان کی اپنی حیثیت کیاہے؟جوشخص خودملک سے مفرورہو وہ دوسروں کو نوٹس بھیج رہاہے،سولرپینل کے متعلق اپنےموقف پرقائم ہوں شریف خاندان کاروباری مافیاہے جو ملک کوبھی کاروبارکیلئے استعمال کرتا ہے
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) July 5, 2022