Zulfi sends defamation notice to PML-N's Asif over virus outbreak allegations.

ISLAMABAD -- Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari has sent a legal notice to the PML-N leader Khawaja Asif for accusing him of using his influence to allow coronavirus infected pilgrims from Iran enter Pakistan and go to their native areas without staying in quarantine.

According to the notice, the PML-N leader on March 17 used mainstream media to claim that the SAPM allowed an influx of pilgrims from Iran by setting aside the condition of quarantine. Most of the people affected by COVID-19 in Pakistan had either visited Iran or had come in contact with the pilgrims.

Rejecting the claim as baseless and unfounded, the SAPM said the allegations were disseminated on mainstream and social media to extensively hurt his reputation.

'I, therefore, call upon you [Asif] to forthwith and in any event within fourteen (14) days of the date of this legal notice withdraw, recall and retract the said defamatory imputations and tender a proper public apology to me and cause the same to be broadcast and disseminated prominently.'

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The notice warned that if the PML-N leader failed to do that the SAPM would start legal proceedings against him under the Defamation Ordinance, 2002 for damages of at least Rs1 billion and also institute proceedings in any other jurisdiction where the statement was disseminated.

According to the transcript shared by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the special assistant told...