PTI’s Taimur Jhagra Sends Defamation Notice to Sher Afzal Marwat

The controversy comes amid growing tensions within PTI following Marwat’s expulsion from the party.

By DTD- On Mar 13, 2025

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister, Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra, has issued a defamation notice to former party member Sher Afzal Marwat, demanding Rs1 billion in damages over what he describes as false and defamatory accusations.

The notice, delivered through Jhagra’s legal representatives, comes after Marwat’s televised remarks on March 11, 2025, during two talk shows. In his statements, Marwat accused Jhagra of embezzling Rs36 billion from the pension fund and using illicit funds to purchase valuable properties in Hayatabad and Islamabad.

Jhagra’s legal counsel, Advocate Ali Gohar Durrani, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them baseless and malicious. Durrani emphasized that the claims were designed solely to tarnish Jhagra’s reputation, both personally and professionally. The legal notice highlights that the accusations violate Pakistan’s Defamation Ordinance, 2002.

The defamation notice demands that Marwat:

Immediately cease making defamatory statements.
Issue a public apology on television and social media platforms where the accusations were aired.
Retract the statements and issue a public clarification of the misinformation.
Pay Rs1 billion in compensation for damages to Jhagra’s reputation and career.

Failure to comply within 14 days will result in civil and criminal proceedings, according to the notice.

In response to the notice, Jhagra took to social media, posting: “See you in court, Marwat. No running away now.” His legal representative, Durrani, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the defamation notice had been officially served.

The controversy comes amid growing tensions within PTI following Marwat’s expulsion from the party. Last month, PTI founder Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, ordered Marwat’s removal after he made controversial statements at a Swabi rally accusing PTI’s leadership of inaction during crucial moments. Marwat had claimed that “bad people” had been more supportive than “good people,” who remained silent in difficult times.

Marwat has been openly critical of PTI’s leadership and party decisions, asserting that his long-standing support for the party was disregarded. His expulsion followed his outspoken views on PTI’s overseas supporters, alleging they were more interested in financial gains than in advancing the party’s political cause.

As of now, Marwat has yet to respond publicly to the defamation notice.