British tabloid concedes 'corruption allegations' against Shehbaz as based on ‘presumption’

LONDON – The London High Court on Friday has ruled in favour of former CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif regarding Daily Mail article which alleged the involvement of PML-N president, son-in-law in money-laundering and embezzlement of funds.

During the hearing of Shehbaz Sharif vs Daily Mail defamation case, the lawyer for Daily Mail said that actual evidence against Shehbaz Sharif regarding money-laundering allegation is ‘limited and based on assumptions’.

The lawyer said that Daily Mail “conceded” that there were no money-laundering allegations against Shehbaz Sharif and his family members. Justice Nicklin of London High Court stated that David Rose’s article carried the highest level of defamation for both Shehbaz Sharif and Ali Imran Yousaf.

However, the judge also said that he was aware of the proceedings against Shehbaz Sharif in Pakistan, but read nothing about proceedings because "that’s not for me to read or know. I would rather not know what’s happening in Pakistan," he added.

On the other hand, journalist David Rose who wrote an investigative article on Shehbaz Sharif has responded to the court’s hearing. "It seems some in Pakistan are claiming that the London judge in today's hearing in the Shehbaz Sharif case has said our evidence is not "up to the mark". This is untrue. He has made no such comment. Today's hearing is not a victory for anyone. It was strictly preliminary. OK?" he posted in a series of tweets on Friday.

It seems some in Pakistan are claiming that the London judge in today's hearing in the Shahbaz Sharif case has said our evidence is not "up to the mark". This is untrue. He has made no such comment. Today's hearing is not a victory for anyone. It was strictly preliminary. OK?

— David Rose (@DavidRoseUK) February 5, 2021

Soon after the hearing, Pakistan Muslim League has demanded the release of Shehbaz Sharif, after he ‘won’ the first round of the defamation case against the U-K based media outlet.

Party spokesperson said the London court's decision is a testimony of the innocence of Shehbaz Sharif.

Shahzad Akbar also responded to the tweet of Maryam Nawaz following the court decision.

کوئی اس جاہل کو بتا دے کہ پہلی تاریخ پر جہاں عدالت نے دعوی کے معنی طے کرنے ہیں اور جسکا ابھی آرڈر آنا ہے کا ہرگز مطلب چاچو چور نہیں،نہیں ہے اور پاپا کے کاذب ہونے کا فیصلہ عدالت عظمی پہلے ہی دے چکی ہے، محترمہ یہ بھی زرا بتلا دیں کہ چاچو منی لانڈرنگ نہیں کرتا فیصلے میں کہاں لکھا ہے https://t.co/r9KI8TuNl8

— Mirza Shahzad Akbar (@ShazadAkbar) February 5, 2021