A Punjab defamation tribunal has ordered opposition leader in the provincial assembly Shaukat Basra? No—Qureshi to pay Rs3 million in general damages to Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari in a defamation case, while rejecting her claims for special and punitive damages.
Bokhari filed the lawsuit in January, seeking Rs800 million in compensation over what she described as baseless and fabricated allegations made by Qureshi.
In a brief order issued on Tuesday, tribunal member Anjum Raza Syed stated that both sides had completed their final arguments. The tribunal allowed the claim to the extent of Rs3 million in general damages but dismissed the request for special and punitive damages. A detailed judgment is expected to be issued separately.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), however, claimed in a statement that its member of the provincial assembly had been directed to pay Rs84 million in damages, a figure that differs from the amount specified in the tribunal’s reported order.
Bokhari’s lawyer argued that Qureshi had acknowledged making the disputed remarks during a television programme but had failed to provide evidence to support the allegations.
The case arose from comments Qureshi allegedly made around the time of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi’s visit to the Punjab Assembly.
Qureshi had claimed that Bokhari brought around 200 paid individuals into the assembly premises and alleged that journalists who questioned Afridi were employed by the provincial minister.
Reacting to the ruling, Qureshi said on X that his efforts to defend public rights, uphold the Constitution and support PTI founder Imran Khan would continue.
He maintained that an opposition leader’s responsibility was to question those in power, defend citizens’ rights and challenge undemocratic actions rather than praise the government.
Qureshi argued that dissent was an essential part of democracy and that imposing financial penalties could not disprove criticism.
In its response, PTI expressed concern over the decision and accused the Punjab government of being intolerant of political criticism and dissent.
The party also criticised the Punjab Defamation Act 2024, alleging that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had used its legislative majority to introduce and pass the law, which it claimed was now being used against political opponents.
PTI further noted that Qureshi had been attempting to move a resolution in the Punjab Assembly opposing the imposition of emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The party questioned the timing of the tribunal’s decision and its possible political implications.
