PML-N threatens Imran Khan with lawsuit over bribery allegation

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PML-N threatens Imran Khan with lawsuit over bribery allegation

Dawn.com Published April 28, 2017

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Punjab Government spokesperson Malik Ahmed Khan on Thursday warned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan with a lawsuit, giving him three days to reveal the identity of the person who allegedly offered Khan a Rs10 billion bribe to keep mum on the Panama papers scandal.

In a video leaked to social media websites earlier this week, PTI chairman Imran Khan could be heard alleging that the large offer was made through a 'middle-man' who he refused to name.

Explore: Imran’s bribery allegation stirs up a hornet’s nest

"Just imagine how much money he offered me to be silent. Rs10 billion. If he can offer me this much money, just imagine how much he would offer to others. That is why if we don't maintain public pressure on this issue, then after two months it will be dragged to next year," Khan appears to be saying in the video.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif was quick to discredit Khan's claims in a one-word tweet, calling him a "liar".

Today's decision by the Punjab government indicates a shift in the ruling party's approach to dealing with Khan's slanderous claims.

“If Imran Khan does not provide the name in three days, we will file a defamation notice and a claim in a court of competent jurisdiction,” the Punjab government spokesman warned.

Speculation has been rife over the identity of the man who is said to have made the Rs10bn offer, or if there was one at all, with some commentators demanding that it is squarely in the public's interest to know who the person offering the bribe was and whether there is any merit to Khan's claims at all.

Surprisingly, PPP leader Nabil Gabol claims to 'know' who the person is.

Talking to a private news channel, PTI's Asad Umar said Khan should never have spoken about the offer without having consulted the person who made it beforehand. However, he too said he 'knows' who the person in question is.

This is not the first time Imran Khan has been threatened with a lawsuit. In October 2016, Punjab Chief Minsiter Shahbaz Sharif filed a Rs26bn defamation lawsuit against Imran Khan.

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Nadeem

Apr 28, 2017 04:32pm

Khan Saheb normally don't have to give any proof for any of his accusations or claims 35 punctures, umpire finger, have all the proofs for panama etc.

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Aamir

Apr 28, 2017 04:33pm

Go ahead if you have some courage or integrity in this regard.

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Saqib sohail

Apr 28, 2017 04:36pm

its apparent from the news item that everyone knows the name of the person and also know that this actually happened. Let them take IK to court, it will be fun.

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Rashid

Apr 28, 2017 05:13pm

PML N please go ahead and nail down IK this time in the court for good.

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JKhan

Apr 28, 2017 05:19pm

Don't name. Let this threat materialise. This will be a fatal shot in the foot. InshaAllah.

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Muslim Medina

Apr 28, 2017 05:27pm

The person, who is supposed to offer money to Imran Khan, is only known to the person on whose behalf the money was offered or Imran Khan. If this allegation by Imran is true then that person, if not yet, will be long gone in hiding.

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F Khan

Apr 28, 2017 05:59pm

What proof? I think Sheikh Rashid must have told IK that somebody met him at the shop who told him that one man met him in the bus who told him that he heard from somebody that PMLN offered IK 10b. Now tell me is it an offer?

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LIfe

Apr 28, 2017 06:10pm

File a defamation suit if you are clean.

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Logic

Apr 28, 2017 06:13pm

Imran Khan has unmasked the corrupt faces.

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Apr 28, 2017 06:46pm

One of the two (Imran or Shahbaz) will now eventually be exposed but who could be that person is in itself 10 billion rupees question to be honest. May I augment, if not annoying, Shahbaz should announce that 20 billion rupees will be paid to the one who personifies the person offering 10 billion to Imran to withdraw himself from Panama case. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait /zaidi4merdiplomat@hotmail.com

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Ali

Apr 28, 2017 06:52pm

The people of Pakistan are sick and tired of these politicians, who have failed to govern with honesty. They are involved in scandals, allegations and counter allegations. We are sick of their TV talk shows, same old faces with same old ignorance and arrogance. It best for democracy in Pakistan to get rid of all these old corrupt politicians, and have a younger lot of educated people, who are more in tune with the modern world take over governance of the country. We don't want present sham democracy, we want real accountable democracy.

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Mahmood

Apr 28, 2017 07:29pm

Threats is a sign of the weak. If the Sharif family has any credibility and reputation to protect, they would've have simply proceeded with filing the lawsuit and have a legal notice delivered to IK. This tells me they are trying to intimidate IK to recant his allegations. And that IK does in fact has damning information to land the family in hot water.

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Ahsan Gul

Apr 28, 2017 07:29pm

IK has leadership skills but on this issue he has messed up. He should have not mentioned bribery information or he must disclose the source. Our public may not be so demanding but a leader must act responsibly. Thanks

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salman

Apr 28, 2017 07:34pm

What happened to the suit against ICIJ, BBC and that german newspaper? Just wondering...

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Apr 28, 2017 07:35pm

That person will name someone else and so on and on. There is no documentary proof

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Ahsan Gul

Apr 28, 2017 07:39pm

Pakistan is waiting for a genuine honest leader who can move her away from corruption and ignorant current politicians. Almost all current we have politicians and not leaders. None of these guys match or possess leadership skills.

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Mahmood

Apr 28, 2017 09:02pm

Price is too low to buy IK. He is not saleable.

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Imran A.

Apr 28, 2017 10:20pm

I think it would be better if PML-N takes IK to court. Once in court, then disclose the source, this will make show the world the true face of NS. I think NS will not take him to court because of fear that he knows the lead will get exposed.

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m.Sethi

Apr 29, 2017 02:15am

Imran Khan's Rs.10 bn allegation looks even more unbelievable than his 35 puncture story... Failed to comprehend why would anyone offer Rs.10 billion to Imran,at such a late stage,when the Panama trial was over & verdict reserved ? Hope he can prove it and it isn't another one of his allegation,which never are supported by proof and irrefutable evidence ?

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