ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday asked the Jang Group to apologise for publishing a false and concocted story printed against him, or face legal action.
The Jang Group recently published a story claiming that the president had secretly married a woman named Tanveer Zamani. The story claimed that the marriage had taken place in Dubai. The story was published by the Jang newspaper even after the presidential spokesman had denied the allegations.
Following the publication of this news item, legal firm Locke Lord Bissell and Lidell were hired by the president to pursue the case. The firm has sent an email to Jang Group chief, Mir Shakeelur Rehman, asking him to retract the said news item and publish an apology.
The notice also warns the media group that unless a retraction and apology is issued immediately, legal action will be initiated for libel, malicious publication and infliction of emotional distress in all jurisdictions where the newspaper has been published.
It also says that if an apology or retraction is not issued,
the lawsuit will seek compensation in excess of $100 million, which will be donated to the victims of floods in Pakistan. The law firm says the rumors were based on a lie fostered by an internet hoax.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2011.
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