Maryam Serves Rs5b Defamation Notice on Salik as Minister Stands Firm

Punjab CM gives federal minister seven days to retract allegations and apologise, while PML-Q leader insists corruption is taking place in the province and denies seeking a preferred Gujrat DC

Hamid Khan Wazir

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has served a Rs 5 billion defamation notice on Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain over his allegations of corruption in the provincial administration, setting a seven-day deadline for their withdrawal and a public apology, but the PML-Q leader has refused to back down, insisting that his remarks reflect the situation on the ground.

The six-page legal notice, issued through Additional Advocate General Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, concerns statements made by Salik during an interview with a private television channel on November 2. The minister had alleged that corruption was widespread in Punjab, saying he regularly heard complaints about irregularities and that files relating to corruption had filled entire cupboards in the province.

Despite admitting that he did not personally possess evidence to substantiate the allegations, Salik maintained that corruption was taking place in Punjab and reiterated his position when questioned by the media following Maryam's announcement of legal action.

"I stand by my statement. Corruption is taking place in Punjab," he said, adding that he had responded honestly to a question during the television interview.

The legal notice describes the allegations as serious and damaging to the reputation of the chief minister and the provincial administration. It maintains that Salik failed to identify any documentary evidence, official inquiry, audit objection, investigation, complaint or other verifiable source to support his claims.

It argues that allegations of widespread corruption, particularly when broadcast through electronic and digital media, cannot be treated as ordinary political criticism when no factual basis is provided.

The notice also names the private TV channel host and the channel's chairman, holding them responsible for their respective roles in introducing, pursuing and broadcasting the allegations.

According to the notice, the host led the discussion on alleged corruption without first identifying any specific incident, investigation or documented complaint, providing a platform for serious accusations without establishing their factual foundation.

It states that the office of the chief minister carries substantial public responsibility and requires a high degree of integrity, credibility and public confidence. Consequently, allegations questioning the honesty of the provincial administration were described as particularly damaging.

Maryam has demanded that all three recipients withdraw the disputed remarks, issue an unconditional and unequivocal public apology and clarification, and remove or suitably correct the relevant portions of the interview and associated material.

The notice also seeks Rs5 billion in damages for the alleged harm to her reputation. It warns that failure to meet the demands within seven days could result in legal proceedings, including action under the Punjab Defamation Act, 2024.

Political row over corruption allegations

The legal action followed a public confrontation between Maryam and Salik over the minister's criticism of the Punjab government and its development priorities.

Addressing a ceremony in Attock on Tuesday, the chief minister announced that she was sending a defamation notice to the federal minister, challenging him to produce evidence rather than make allegations.

"There is a federal minister ... somebody sent me his statement about corruption in Punjab. Today, I am sending him a defamation notice," she said. Maryam maintained that she would not tolerate what she termed false allegations of corruption and warned that Salik would have to substantiate his claims in court if he failed to withdraw them.

She also suggested that the dispute stemmed from the appointment of the deputy commissioner in Gujrat, alleging that the PML-Q leader was unhappy because she had replaced an officer he wanted posted to the district.

The chief minister said she would not allow anyone to interfere in the government's administrative decisions or the will of the people. Salik, however, rejected the allegation that he had sought the appointment of a particular officer as Gujrat deputy commissioner. He maintained that he had neither recommended any candidate nor demanded the transfer of the serving officer.

Speaking to the media after Maryam's remarks, the federal minister dismissed the suggestion that his comments were motivated by personal or political considerations. "It was an interview, someone asked a question and I responded honestly," he said, reiterating that corruption existed in Punjab.

When asked to provide evidence, he advised reporters to listen to the interview again rather than retract his statement. In response to Salik's remarks, Maryam questioned his description of his comments as an honest assessment, saying that making false accusations could not be considered an expression of humility while responding to them was portrayed as arrogance.

Dispute over Pervez Elahi's tenure

The controversy also intensified after Salik praised former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi during the television interview, describing him as one of the best chief ministers the province had seen.

The federal minister also criticised the current provincial government's development priorities, alleging that political considerations were influencing the allocation of public funds and that a disproportionate share of the development budget was being directed towards Lahore.

Maryam responded by defending her government's performance, particularly its development work in Gujrat, the political stronghold of the Chaudhry family.

Recounting her visit to the district about two years ago, she said parts of Gujrat had suffered severe urban flooding, with rainwater reaching considerable heights and submerging her vehicle.

She said the situation had since improved, claiming that rainwater no longer accumulated in the same manner during heavy rainfall.

The chief minister rejected the suggestion that the improvements were the result of the previous administration's efforts, arguing that her government had undertaken significant development work in the district.

Salik's criticism, meanwhile, extended beyond Punjab's development spending. During the interview, he questioned the use of public money on lavish government expenditure, particularly official aircraft, arguing that elected representatives and public office-holders should remain mindful of the country's economic difficulties.

He called for greater accountability of government ministers, saying federal and provincial ministers should have sufficient authority to discharge their responsibilities but must also be answerable for their performance and the public resources used by their departments.

The seven-day deadline set in the notice will determine whether the dispute is resolved through a retraction and apology or moves towards formal legal proceedings.