JI seeks Rs1 billion damages from former FBR chief

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has served a legal notice on former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi. The

KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has served a legal notice on former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi. The party is seeking Rs1 billion in damages over remarks it says harmed its reputation.

The notice relates to allegations made by Zaidi about the political party and its role in public protests. JI said the former FBR chief made the remarks during a podcast and later repeated them on different social media platforms.

According to the party, the notice was issued on July 27 through Advocate Tahir Iqbal Malik. It was sent on the instructions of JI Karachi General Secretary Taufiquddin Siddiqui.

JI has accused Zaidi of making serious and damaging claims. The party says the allegations suggested that it had received money to weaken or suppress public protests and political issues.

The party also objected to comments in which Zaidi allegedly described JI as an “establishment firewall”. According to JI, the remarks created an impression that the party was working to dilute public concerns and protests.

The legal notice claims that the statements included allegations of secret funding, bribery, corruption and political misconduct. It also alleges that the remarks suggested coordination between the party and state institutions.

JI has demanded that Zaidi provide evidence to support his claims. The party has asked him to identify the person who allegedly made the payment and the individual who supposedly received it.

The notice also seeks details about the alleged amount, including when and where the payment was made. JI has asked for information about the method of payment and any bank records or financial documents linked to the allegation.

The party has further demanded evidence concerning the alleged protest or public issue. It has asked for the names of witnesses and any documents, recordings or other material that could support the claims.

JI also wants Zaidi to disclose the source of the information on which his allegations were based. The party has said the claims should be backed by verifiable evidence.

When approached for a response, Zaidi said he had forwarded the legal notice to his lawyer. He said he would seek legal advice on the matter.

The dispute could now move into a legal phase if the former FBR chairman does not respond to the notice in the manner demanded by the party.