Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) politician and former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra served Sher Afzal Marwat a defamation complaint seeking Rs1 billion in damages for false charges.
The legal letter from Jhagra’s attorney disputes Marwat’s televised financial malfeasance allegation.
On March 11, 2025, Marwat fraudulently claimed on two TV chat shows that Jhagra had embezzled Rs36 billion from the pension fund, according to the lawsuit complaint. Marwat accused Jhagra of buying expensive Hayatabad and Islamabad residences with unlawful monies, according to the notice.
Jhagra’s lawyer, Advocate Ali Gohar Durrani, stated these charges were false, spiteful, and defamatory to damage her social and professional reputation. It dismisses the claims as unfounded and in violation of Pakistan’s Defamation Ordinance, 2002.
Marwat must stop making defamatory remarks, apologise publicly through TV channels and social media platforms, retract his statements and clarify the misinformation, and pay Rs1 billion in reputational and professional damages.
If these demands are not met within 14 days, civil and criminal processes will follow, the warning states.
In response to the lawsuit, Jhagra tweeted: “See you in court, Marwat. No escape now.” His lawyer, Durrani, confirmed on X that the defamation notice was served. Marwat has not released a statement on the notice.
Imran Khan, who is in prison, ordered Marwat’s removal from the party last month for multiple discipline offences.
After making contentious remarks at a Swabi demonstration against election manipulation, Marwat said that “bad people” like him had helped during difficult times while “good people” stayed mute.
Khan urged the party leadership to expel Marwat over his comments.
Marwat often criticises PTI leadership and party choices. After his expulsion, he said that his consistent support for PTI in difficult times was ignored and that his voice was never heard.
Marwat recently accused PTI’s abroad influencers of valuing personal wealth over party interests, sparking more uproar.
He said many PTI worldwide supporters prioritised donations and lucrative engagements over party building.
