ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari has served a legal notice to Sadruddin Hashwani, Chairman Hashoo Group and author of The Truth Always Prevails, for willfully publishing a “false, derogatory and vexatious publication full of blatant lies” to damage his reputation.
The Pakistan Peoples Party chairman also served the notice to publishers of the book, Penguin Books in Haryana India and Liberty Books in Karachi.
PPP spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said in a statement that the legal notice was drafted by Senator Farooq H Naek, senior advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, on behalf of Zardari.
The Truth Always Prevails was launched on Sunday in Islamabad and its excerpts have already been published in a number of media outlets.
The author held the former president responsible for the devastating suicide blast at his hotel, Marriot, in Islamabad in October 2008.
“The cumulative direct effect of the distortions in the book is to tarnish the reputation of Asif Ali Zardari and negate all his contributions to the state and society of Pakistan. The book is a brain-wave of an irresponsible person full of malice aimed at not only tarnishing the image of Zardari but also of the PPP and its workers,” stated the legal notice drafted by Naek.
The notice argued that Zardari believes in complete freedom of speech as guaranteed in Article 19 of the Constitution; however, the statements made in the book without proper investigation and verification were irresponsible and made with an ulterior motive.
The notice adds that the PPP chairman is entitled to Rs500 million in damages for loss of reputation and another Rs500 million for mental agony and torture.
The spokesperson said that the notice further asks the author and publishers to immediately withdraw the book from book stores, end the defamation campaign and give a written assurance within 14 days to this effect.
The counsel also warned that if the demands made were not complied with within 14 days, Zardari would be entitled to seek further monetary damages and equitable relief.
“In the event you fail to meet this demand, please be advised that our client has asked us to communicate to you that he will pursue all available legal remedies, including seeking monetary damages to initiate criminal proceedings under the law," it stated.
“The former president has decided to donate the receipts from damages for defamation to charity,” Babar said.
COMMENTS (46)
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In a telecast interview, I heard something to the effect that Hashwani said about his meeting with Musharraf. Could ET and/or its readers please enlighten us on that? Hashwani seems to have made many enemies, it is clear. Is that because he is upright and does not mince words? I am under the impression that he speaks truthfully and fearlessly. But I am not sure.
Both are responsible for their actions & both will be answerable in front of Allah swt to prove themselves innocent ( both of them, however, will not be able to prove themselves innocent as Allah swt already have all the proof )but having said that Mr Zardari has more burden on his shoulder as he was a minister as well as a President of this country. AAZ will be in a bigger mess as he is supposed to take care of the people who selected him to serve them.....so, justice will be done up there Mr AAZ not in this world.
Surprising, this man claims he has a reputation that could be damaged.
The time for an average civil suit in Pakistan is a generation, i.e. about 25 years. Now one can well imagine the end result, if ever there is one. There is nothing to this case, no-body is really interested. After a few months everything will be forgotten, like for example the "memo-gate" case and the hundreds of others, this nation gets caught up in, just one more drama.
Do you really have an idea of how Hashwani made his money in Pakistan? @Faizaan Khan: Hashwani is well known in political circles and has been playing politicians and military rulers for decades. He is smarter than them.No one forgets how he snatched up Intercontinental Hotels and Prime real estate for next to nothing by greasing the right palms. This billionaire is in the same company as Zardari in terms of looting the country’s assets. I don’t know what would have possessed Hashwani to write a book because many books could be written about him too and how he has made his money on the back of the Pakistani citizen.
Yes, let them expose each other.
They say there's three ways to make money: Earn, inherit or sue. Zardari Sahib has done all three. Its only the earning part, however, that has been the crux of his misfortunes.
Both have powerful supporters in Pakistan and more importantly abroad and that is the basis of their strength and their ability to fight off each other. A competition between elites, which is good for the common people of Pakistan?
There could have been no better publicity of this book. This legal notice and Zardari's reaction can only guarantee that this book becomes an instant bestseller.
"Money makes the world go round" should be our politicians national anthem.
Will Zardari also send a legal notice to Raymond Baker for his expose on Zardari's corrution in his book 'Capitalism's Achilles Heel, pages 78-82, (Nawaz Sharif's corruption account is on pages 82-84) - the details are mind boggling - we have not seen or heard of 'their respective 'loyal' journalists to even point out this massive blatant corruption! The biggest joke on the people of Pakistan is 'damage to Zardari's reputation!!'
Sadruddin Hashwani, Chairman Hashoo Group and author of The Truth Always Prevails ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sir I salute your courage in exposing this crook. All Pakistanis will thank you and you may give a call to IK.
I wish it is taken to a Court of Law & the "Truth Prevails"
.
We Pakistanis should serve a Rs.1000 billion notice to Mr. Zardari for recovering our loot money and for destroying this country
Damage Zardari's reputation!?!...Joke of the decade
Zardari during his Presidency wants to occupy on Hasho Group. He wants to get married with his daughter and then through her wishes to occupy on his property. But Hashwani and his daughter denied and went out to save themselves from this wolf.
Timing of serving this notice is unsuitable as election in Gilgit Baltistan is very near. Hasho Group is helping poor people of these back wards areas.
Now, its time for the big time lawyers to make big time money!!!. Has anyone calculated the time, money and resources that went into the "memogate" case? After all the time, and resources, does the nation not deserve to know how much were the lawyers paid, how time of the judiciary was taken, how much the government spent on what and whom, and what was the actual end result??. Why are our top people, politicians, judiciary, diplomats, so very stupid? why do they always collude with each other and pretend.
Look who is accusing the other. How did Mr. Hashwani made his empire - ask him?
Marriot is a bigger story than Mr. Hashwani makes it to be. Why was his Peshawar hotel also bombed? Hope he answers that too?
Notwithstanding Mr. Zardari's reputation I never thought he was so powerful to get Mr. Hashwani's two hotels bombed.
Zardari has served 'Notice to Hashwani not because his reputation has been damaged,he has done so to stop and scare others from writing 'True stories about him,which in reality are plenty.
Two VERY reputable people accusing each other. We the really UNWORTHY members of the ordinary Awam have a tough choice here....
What is the law in Pakistan ? how much court fee for Rs. one billion. or ex president is exempted for court fee. I hope Government of Pakistan make some money out of him. I do not think i have to read the book, It is known fact and truth. He has not inherited all this money. Best thing for him is to retire in France and enjoy rest of his life in on Rivera. life is very short, enjoy you cannot take this money to grave.
A similar book needs to be written for Mr. PM Shareef, Enough of this dynastic rule!
This is validation rather defamation. This multi-billion dollar thug should be behind bars....big mistake to let him out.
They are both corrupt and may be together in this attempt to make money by selling the books. If we buy the book, we will be feeding their coffers. Do not buy the book!!
Lol Now Hashoo's book sale will be skyrocketing.
@shaan: Do you really have an idea of how Hashwani made his money in Pakistan? @Faizaan Khan: Hashwani is well known in political circles and has been playing politicians and military rulers for decades. He is smarter than them.No one forgets how he snatched up Intercontinental Hotels and Prime real estate for next to nothing by greasing the right palms. This billionaire is in the same company as Zardari in terms of looting the country's assets. I don't know what would have possessed Hashwani to write a book because many books could be written about him too and how he has made his money on the back of the Pakistani citizen.
Now thats a tough one........who to believe ?
The book 'Truth Always Prevails' by Sadruddin Hashwani if to be said an autobiography then it should be above accusations but experiences and observations and if to be said a pack of truths then we must keep in mind the basis of truths, the circumstances and the intentions behind. If the book is willfully written and published at a specific time when we are at the cross road of a political turmoil and is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of wisest and shrewd political icon and former president of this dear homeland then it is truly derogatory. It is also true that while interviewing on a private TV channel on the publishing of his book, Mr Hashwani sb was not confident. It is time to construct this already economically eroded, socially degraded, politically destabilized and religiously hijacked country instead of blaming and defaming each other.
And as per PMLN this guy has become Mohsinay jamhoriat after he went to raiwind where MR shareef drove him to his palace and then they ate the lavish Lunch and decided the fate of our country on the same Lunch, once we were told that shareef's are going to bring the money from swiss account but now no one bothers about what he did in his 5 years instead all the efforts of government and status co is against PTI and IK.
If Zardari gives money to charity then the book must be true. Zardari would loot the charity instead of giving charity.
Thanks Mr. Zardari for publicising this book. I would never have known of it, if it wasn't for you trying to earn a billion rupees through a defamation claim.
Thank you Sadruddin Hashwani sb for exposing corrupt politicians of Pakistan.
I wish instead of such childish response ,PPP had defended the case based on facts...if they believe that allegations were wrong,they ought to bring facts with solid evidences instead of sending typical legal notice....Oh God!!! Mr Zardari's damage his reputation...this is "Seriously Hilarious "
Hahahahaa..this law suit will increase the off take 10 fold so even if Hashwani looses the ,compensation is self financing. :)
The whole nation should serve notice on Mr Zardari for looting the nation and recovering the looted funds
Mr Hashwani's book i sworth reading
Must read book for aspiring entrepreneurs and business people and you will come to know how a corrupt system from politicians to dictators , this man fought to build the empire with honesty and courage.
This is the best publicity this book could have gotten, now I will definitely try and read this book, good job PPP and Asif Zardari.
I have no sympathy for ex President Zardari nor I believe he is an angel but after watching Mr. Hashwani's interview on a TV channel and reading his book's excerpts about Zardari, I think his accusations about Mariot Hotel Bombing and also kidnapping attempt in a bid to transfer his companies shares to Mr. Zardari are not accurate. My point is, when Mr. Zardari can make billions without involving himself in terrorist activities, why would he commit such heinous crimes. Also In interview Mr. Hashwani looked very unstable person.
Lets see what happens this person so called ex-president in his young days had a party in one of the hotels of Mr. Hashwani and then as he caused a lot of ruckus he was thrown out. Just a few lines and at what the hue and cry is all about .Let the Pakistanis decide ans see the true picture of the politicians who have nothing to give but always ready to snatch.
Hashwani must thank Zardari. The sale of the book should now skyrocket.
Well, unfortunately Truth does not always prevail, but now that PPP is out of power on the national scene, it has a good chance to come out.
Truth is always bitter.... Mr 10%
"Former president Asif Ali Zardari has served a legal notice to Sadruddin Hashwani, Chairman Hashoo Group and author of The Truth Always Prevails, for willfully publishing a “false, derogatory and vexatious publication full of blatant lies” to damage his reputation."
Yeah because up to now Mr.Zardari has enjoyed such a stellar reputation....
A person who has never given an aspirin in charity wants to donate other people's money.
“The cumulative direct effect of the distortions in the book is to tarnish the reputation of Asif Ali Zardari"
This from a man who is mentioned in a murder FIR of close relative. He was well known for being Mr 10% during his wives tenure as PM.
What reputation is this man talking about?
must read this book....