Punjab Defamation Tribunal declares Ahsan Bhoon’s claim maintainable and issues notice to Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar for November 11.
LAHORE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK Senior lawyer and Judicial Commission of Pakistan member Ahsan Bhoon has filed a Rs5 billion defamation suit against former lawmaker Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar Awan before the Punjab Defamation Tribunal.
The tribunal has declared the claim maintainable and issued a notice to Safdar, summoning him for a hearing on November 11, 2026.
Bhoon’s petition concerns alleged remarks made by Safdar during television interviews and on social media questioning the authenticity of his law degree and his professional eligibility to practise law.
In the suit, Bhoon maintains that the statements damaged his professional reputation and undermined his decades-long legal career. He states that he obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of the Punjab in March 1989 and that his academic credentials have been verified by the relevant authorities.
Rs5 billion in damages sought
Bhoon has requested a total of Rs5 billion in damages, divided into three categories: Rs1 billion in general damages, Rs2 billion in special damages and Rs2 billion in punitive damages.
He has also asked the tribunal to direct Safdar to withdraw the alleged statements, issue an unconditional public apology and refrain from making similar remarks in the future.
The dispute follows Safdar’s public calls for verification of lawyers’ educational qualifications. In September, Bhoon had issued a Rs5 billion defamation notice in response to allegations concerning his law degree. The matter has since progressed to a formal claim before the tribun.
Bhoon has cited verification of his degree as part of his case. The legal dispute concerns the allegations and the reputational harm claimed by the petitioner; the filing of the suit does not itself establish liability on Safdar’s part.
The tribunal’s next scheduled hearing is November 11, 2026, when the proceedings are expected to move forward following the notice issued to Safdar.
