Pakistan Today reported that in a notice sent to Khan, the former PM’s aide demanded the journalist to pay her Rs 2 billion for maligning her reputation and causing mental distress.
“SAPM is neither the decision-making authority nor instrumental in any other manner with regard to the government advertisements. The process of allocation of work to the advertising agencies working with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the mode of payment and the profits earned by the agencies and the media houses is also incorrect,” the notice said while referring to the claims made by Imran Khan.
The notice claimed that the allegations pertaining to the misuse of official vehicles and staff were baseless. It demanded the anchor to issue a public apology and pay the former PM’s aide Rs2 bn in 14 days or face civil and criminal proceedings.
On April 27, shortly after being removed as SAPM on Information, Firdous Ashiq Awan was accused of corruption and taking kickbacks. ARY News quoted sources as saying that Awan tried to take 10 per cent of the government advertising budget as commission and making political appointments in Pakistan Television (PTV).