GENEVA/ISLAMABAD
United Nations Special Rapporteurs Mary Lawlor and Irene Khan have written to the Government of Pakistan, demanding an impartial investigation into the threats issued to the Editor of The Pakistan Daily, Hamza Azhar Salam by Chairman Bahria Town, Malik Riaz.
Malik Riaz’s team issued threats to Hamza Azhar Salam after the journalist shared a flight manifest and reported that Farhat Shehzadi, also known as Farah Gogi travelled on a Bahria Town Aircraft to Dubai in April 2019 to sell the Graff set gifted to the State of Pakistan by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The buyer of the Graff set, Umar Farooq Zahoor confirmed to The Pakistan Daily that he bought the Graff set from Farah Gogi in April 2019 for around $2 million and still has possession of the Graff set. The gift was sold in violation of rules pertaining to Toshakhana. After publishing the story, Malik Riaz’s team issued death threats to journalist Hamza Azhar Salam and demanded that the story and the tweet be immediately deleted.
When Hamza Azhar Salam refused to bow down to the intimidation, Malik Riaz authorised Azhar Siddique to launch legal proceedings against Salam.
As of 1 November 2023, Malik Riaz has sent over 10 legal notices to Hamza Azhar Salam demanding over 24 billion rupees in damages. Malik Riaz has also demanded an unconditional apology from Hamza Azhar Salam and The Pakistan Daily.
However, till date, Malik Riaz’s legal team has not yet gone to court purportedly for fear of evidence against them coming forth.
The flight manifest shared by Salam has not been challenged in any court of law.
Speaking to journalists, Hamza Azhar Salam said: “Till Allah has given me strength, I will only bow down to him and never bow down to Malik Riaz”.
The Government of Pakistan has not responded to the letter by the United Nations Special Rapporteurs after it was made public.
