LAHORE: The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) on Saturday served a legal notice on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, demanding that she withdraw her alleged remarks describing the party as a “terrorist, illegal and banned” organisation, and remove disputed content from social media and issue an unconditional public apology within seven days.
Issued through a team of lawyers on behalf of PMML president Khalid Masood Sandhu, the notice accused Maryam Nawaz of making defamatory statements in a post on her X account and a public speech, which were subsequently aired repeatedly by television channels.
The party warned that failure to meet its demands within seven days of receiving the notice would compel it to initiate appropriate legal proceedings before the competent courts, holding her responsible for all resulting costs and consequences.
The legal move comes amid an escalating confrontation between the ruling PML-N and the PMML following the Nov 8 by-election in NA-77 Gujranwala. The PML-N retained the seat, with its candidate Rashid Bashir Virk securing 43,365 votes against 30,218 polled by PMML candidate Ibrahim Gujjar. The PMML rejected the outcome, claiming its candidate had actually won and demanded a recount in 50 polling stations.
Maryam Nawaz and Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari subsequently questioned the PMML’s political credentials, alleging that proscribed organisations were operating under new names.The PMML maintains that it is a legally registered political party with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and has been functioning since 2022.
Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2026
