Ahsan Bhoon files Rs5 billion defamation claim against Captain (retd) Safdar

Ahsan Bhoon, a senior lawyer and member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, has filed a claim for Rs5 billion in damages against Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar in the Punjab Defamation Tribunal in Lahore.

The tribunal declared the claim maintainable and issued a notice to Safdar for November 11, 2026. Minute Mirror reported that the tribunal summoned Safdar to appear before it on that date.

According to the claim, Safdar made allegedly defamatory remarks in television interviews and on social media about Bhoon's law degree and about his eligibility to practise law.

The claim states that Bhoon obtained his law degree from the University of the Punjab and that it has been verified by the relevant authorities. Bhoon's stance is that the alleged statements damaged his legal services, which span several decades, as well as his professional reputation.

Bhoon has asked the tribunal to order Safdar to pay Rs1 billion in general damages, Rs2 billion in special damages and Rs2 billion in punitive damages, which together make up the Rs5 billion sought.

Beyond money, the claim asks the tribunal to direct Safdar to withdraw the alleged statements and offer an unconditional apology. It also asks that he be restrained from making such statements in the future.

Minute Mirror described Safdar as a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and said the dispute between the two men has escalated days before the Supreme Court Bar Association elections, which are scheduled for October 29. Daily Pakistan Urdu, citing Geo News, also described Bhoon as a member of the Pakistan Bar Council. The reports available did not include a response from Safdar to the claim.