Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday sent Rs 1 billion legal notice to Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) former Justice Javed Iqbal following allegations of laundering $4.9 billion to India. In the notice, served through his counsel Munawar Iqbal Duggal, the former prime minister contended that "a false, libelous and defamatory" press release on May 08, 2018 was issued under the NAB chairman instructions with "mala fide" exercise of powers.
It stated that on the basis of media reports, it accused Sharif of laundering $4.9 billion to India and thereby foreign exchange reserves of India were increased and losses were inflicted to Pakistan's national kitty. Sharif, through the notice, urged the NAB chairman to tender an apology in 14 days and pay a sum of Rs 1 billion in damages or civil and criminal proceedings will be initiated against him.
It further stated: "This legal notice is absolutely without prejudice to any other rights/ remedies which our client may have already availed or may initiate against you and your institution, and our client reserves his right to take all appropriate steps and initiate all appropriate proceedings including criminal proceedings as envisaged under sections 499 and 500 of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 against you and your institution on account of mal administration for the aforementioned illegal and malicious acts. Any such legal proceedings undertaken by our client would be entirely at your own risk and you would be liable for the cost and consequences thereto."
It asserted that the issuance of the press releases and circulation thereof in the electronic and press media, shocked Sharif that without any verification from the reliable sources whatsoever and despite earlier clarifications of this issue by the State Bank of Pakistan and subsequently even by the World Bank, "false and fabricated" statements on the basis of a media report were published in the national dailies.
"The allegations in the press releases are utterly false, fabricated and present an absolutely fictitious account of the facts. The press releases have the effect of injuring and lowering our client's image in the eyes of right and fair-minded members of the society and have exposed him to unjust criticism, ridicule and dislike from all quarters," the notice further stated.
It added that a lifetime of integrity, patriotism and dedication has been seriously tarnished by "irresponsible and malicious" publication transmitted on different TV channels and in press, which apart from causing irreparable damage to Sharif's reputation, caused severe mental torture, agony, pain and bad name to him. "Consequently, you are liable to compensate our client for the said malicious publications," the notice further informed the NAB chief.