Finance minister sends defamation notice to TV channel Bol

E-Paper | March 02, 2026

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday a sent a legal notice to Bol News demanding an apology and a retraction for "false" and "defamatory" statements made on the show ‘Live with Dr Shahid Masood'.

A notice was also sent to Dr. Shahid Masood, who serves as an anchor on the news channel, under Section 8 of the Defamation Ordinance, 2002, a statement issued by the finance ministry said.

According to the finance ministry, Masood "passed conjecture, libelous and defamatory statements to damage the finance minister’s personality and character" during his Jan 24 programme.

The ministry said that during his show, Masood made "false statements" and "hinted' at a meeting held between the finance minister and the Army's General Headquarters. The finance minister's statement denied that any such meeting took place.

"The story was utterly false and absolutely fictitious," it read.

The finance minister has decided to take legal action against Masood "who is known for fabrication and foul mouthing as well as the TV channel for airing and repeat airing of the said broadcast," the statement said.

The legal notice demands the payment of a sum of Rs1 billion to be paid as damages to the minister "on account of the defamatory broadcast"

Dar has also lodged a complaint with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and asked the electronic media watchdog to take appropriate action.

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ABE

Jan 30, 2017 03:42pm

How quick they are to muzzle Pakistani critics in Pakistan. But neither him, nor NS or Maryam have similar notices to the German newspaper over similar allegations and leaked documents linking them to the ownership of offshore companies and London flats. It is very simple. They can hood wink Pakistanis inside Pakistan. But have no grounds to even send notice to a foreign source, because they know truth is out there, and they cannot disprove it otherwise.

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analyses

Jan 30, 2017 03:37pm

Nice try to earn Rs 1 billion - at least legally for once.

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Zia

Jan 30, 2017 03:37pm

defamation notice by a corrupt minister - what a joke with Pakistani nation

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Skeptic

Jan 30, 2017 03:55pm

Why hasn't NS or Maryam bothered to send defamation notices, or even retained an attorney to sue the German paper? It is because they know the paper has its facts right. There is no grounds for someone who puts out facts which are already in public domain. There is no defamation, or what has not already been known to the public. No case. end of story.

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PakBH

Jan 30, 2017 03:50pm

Corruption at its peak and nation in full sleep

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Scary

Jan 30, 2017 04:09pm

I am so happy to read this news. This man has been saying the most scandalous things all the time ever since he returned back after being banned. Our media just does not want to believe the other side of the story. What if does not exist in their dictionary. In 1999 Musharraf went through all this but could not find anything to convict these people.

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Ahmad Shah

Jan 30, 2017 04:18pm

Great, no less than a billion will do. A billion for them is equivalent to a rupee for poor Pakistanis. They are famous for corruption and digesting the ill gotten money of poor Pakistani people on foreign shores

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MUHAMMAD, Canada

Jan 30, 2017 04:22pm

Time for accountability has come. It is wrong to say Dr Shahid Masood indulges in foul mouthing. It is right to say that his investigative journalism is the objects of hate by those who are involved in Economic Terrorism, a term used by the doctor to mean creating instability in the country by mega corruption cases like the one under reference. Truth shall prevail!

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Nazir

Jan 30, 2017 04:27pm

Futile attempts to muzzle the freedom of the press.

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Hassan (Karachi)

Jan 30, 2017 04:28pm

@analyses, Rs. 1 billion? Who comes up with these absurd amounts? Nothing legal about it.

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The end is near

Jan 30, 2017 04:40pm

The PMLN corrupts can go to any limit to avoid accountability and hide their corruption.

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Yaser Arafat

Jan 30, 2017 04:41pm

This seems Pakistan media has no ethics and controls, every so called analyst and gives their comments without holding borders! Within 45 minutes program they can level any allegations to anyone who does not suit them and change perceptions in public 0 to 180 degrees. Now this is responsibility to BOL as well Dr.Shahid Masood to prove their information was true and based on fact in court!

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Basit Ali

Jan 30, 2017 04:42pm

@MUHAMMAD, Canada Doesn't he need to bring out proofs?

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arsHAD, Canada

Jan 30, 2017 06:27pm

@Zia , In a civil society everyone has the right to defend his good name and integrity, either you like him/her or not. Dr. Massod( and we all know his Character)had quoted that he was in a meeting in which he and another person along with Mr.Darr were present. Well if he is not lying, Dr. S. Masood should defend himself. Guys, we are arguing and talking about the alleged corruption wich started 40 Years ago and ended in 2006.

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MAsoud

Jan 30, 2017 07:10pm

Only a clean person can file defamation case, He admitted to money laundrying for Nawaz Sharif.

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ali

Jan 30, 2017 07:42pm

I think Ishaq dar should go ahead with the lawsuit instead of just threatening . This way one party will be exposed. Mr Dar has sent many such notices without proceeding further. I wonder why.

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layman

Jan 30, 2017 08:43pm

@ABE .In addition to German newspaper report, BBC also relayed,about London flats.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jan 30, 2017 09:05pm

There was a documentary on BBC news as to how Mr. Ishaq Daar did money laundering. I am wondering why he has not taken any action on BBC?

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freed

Jan 30, 2017 09:28pm

Did dr. shaid call him honest? That would definetly be false and defamtory.

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Goodfor them

Jan 30, 2017 10:49pm

@Skeptic exactly..

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layman

Jan 31, 2017 05:50am

O really, do he or his party has some positive fame. Let's find out through newpapers or electronic media. Mr Dar please check if subsidence is happening these days.A bad ochestrating statements,and silly letters put up,by members of royal family of Raiwind , have even confused the defending lawyers. People are watching TV programmes half time serious,while half time laughing for silly evidenced being filed. The SC seems to have fully reached the bottom of truth, and it will be very easy to anounce verdict,at moment of their choice.

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Sailani

Jan 31, 2017 05:49am

If the information is based on facts then the courts will sort it out. If they are innuendos or hearsay than both BOL and Dr. Shahid Masood should be held responsible for defamation of character.

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Khawar Saleem Aslam

Jan 31, 2017 12:37pm

These days in Pakistan you can say anything about anybody with almost no implication. See the case of Mubashar Luqman. Dr. Liaqat and Dr. Shahid are in the same mould.

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