Ombudsperson summons Nadia for ‘mocking’ Sharmila’s mother

TV host was also barred from making any statement related to case on media till the next hearing

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH), Kashmala Tariq on Monday summoned popular television host Nadia Khan on the complaint of PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqi’s mother for allegedly mocking her makeup skills.

The complainant, Anisa Farooqi, in her application claimed that the TV host “ridiculed and mocked” her makeup skills through a video clip uploaded on her official YouTube channel.

“The tone and demeanour of the accused [Nadia Khan] has been a sarcastic one just to gain publicity, likes and fame based on unnecessary and irrelevant comments made to the Complainant [Ansia Farooqui]. The accused has even uploaded the video clip on her YouTube channel without seeking prior permission of the complainant which infringes upon and invades the complainant's privacy rights,” read the application submitted before the FOSPAH by advocate Amna Hassan Sheikh on behalf of the plaintiff. 

Also read: Nadia Khan to counter file Rs500m defamation notice against Sharmila Faruqi

The ombudsperson also barred Nadia Khan from making any statement and discussing the issue through any media till the next date of hearing, which is scheduled to be held on February 2 (Wednesday).

The PPP MPA has also served Nadia Khan Rs50 million defamation notice for her controversial video featuring the former’s mother.

The notice gives Nadia 15 days to not only retract her remarks but also issue an apology and pay Rs50 million as compensation. “On behalf of Mrs Sharmila Farooqi, Member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, who has instructed me to serve upon you the following legal notice under Section 8 of the Defamation Ordinance, 2002, on account of a defamatory video published by you on your YouTube channel namely Outstyle, on January 20, 2022,” the notice reads.

In counterblast, the TV host also announced to serve Sharmila a defamation notice of Rs500 million.

“My lawyers are sending a legal notice to Sharmila Faruqui, suing her for Rs500 million for defamation and using insulting remarks for a woman,” she said in an Instagram post.