ISLAMABAD: PML-N leader Siddiqul Farooq has served a legal notice on Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, demanding a compensation of Re1 or unconditional apology within 15 days for his allegations that Mr Farooq had taken Rs20 million from him through blackmailing.

Earlier, in the month Mr Farooq had announced his plans to file a defamation suit against the eminent scientist for hurling the allegation against him while he was chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

The legal notice addressed to Dr Khan demanded that he contradict the allegations through electronic and print media and tender an apology.

The notice stated in detail that the Dr Khan participated as analyst in a TV talk show along with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former PM and Sardar Khan Niazi on Aug 29 and during the discussion he leveled false and baseless allegation against Mr Farooq that he extorted Rs20 million from Mr Khan in connection with Dr A.Q. Khan Trust Hospital, Lahore.

The notice also added that Dr Khan used derogatory language and called Mr Farooq ‘chief of thieves’, and the video clip of the programme has been submitted as evidence.

In his notice he claimed he was a respectable citizen with credibility within Pakistan and abroad as an honest person. He had been press secretary, spokesperson and speech writer of prime minister, Chairman/Managing Director of House Building Finance Corporation, Central Information Secretary and spokesman of PML-N, Chairman ETPB and is a Member of Central working Committee of PML-N.

“Your insulting remarks not only caused mental agony but also colossal loss to my repute and credibility, which is immeasurable in terms of money,” the notice said adding that Dr Khan’s contributions to Pakistan’s nuclear capability was recognizable that does not gives a license to pass irresponsible statements and cause damage to the reputation and credibility of any person.”

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2020