Maryam Nawaz Wins Defamation Case in UK High Court as Pakistani TV Channel Issues Public Apology

London:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has secured a significant legal victory in the High Court of Justice in London, after a Pakistani television channel issued a public apology over false allegations made in connection with the Toshakhana watch controversy.

The case was filed by Maryam Nawaz against Galaxy Broadcasting Network UK, which operates a private news channel in Britain. The lawsuit stemmed from a talk show aired on November 17, 2022, in which the channel claimed that Maryam Nawaz had obtained an expensive wristwatch from Pakistan’s Toshakhana (state gift repository) through alleged collusion and corruption involving government bureaucrats.

According to the program, the watch—valued at PKR 1 million—was purportedly purchased by Maryam Nawaz for just PKR 45,000. Her legal team, comprising Barrister David Lemer of Doughty Street Chambers and solicitors Sadia Qureshi and Ishrat Sultana of Stowe White Solicitors, challenged the claim as false and defamatory.

During the court proceedings, the channel acknowledged that the allegations were based on incorrect information, and issued a formal public apology to Maryam Nawaz through a recorded video statement.

> “We unreservedly apologize to Ms. Maryam Nawaz for the distress and damage caused by the false allegations aired on our program,” the statement read.

The outcome marks a notable legal triumph for Maryam Nawaz, who has consistently denied all corruption accusations related to the Toshakhana case. The apology underscores growing scrutiny over misinformation and defamation involving Pakistani political figures in international jurisdictions.