Case Update Status

No apology has been offered from either side yet. However, the court proceedings are subject to a 14-day limitation.

Summary of Case

On Sep 02, Dawn News reporter Abdullah Momand was insulted and defamed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during a press conference at PTI house when Momand asked question on the selection of PTI-KP cabinet members. Report suggested that Islamabad-based journalist Abdullah Momand issued a legal notice to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, demanding damages worth Rs110 million for alleged defamation. The notice, sent through lawyer Ghulam Qasim Bhatti, states that the Chief Minister leveled “baseless and damaging allegations” against Momand during a meeting with media representatives in Islamabad. According to the journalist, Gandapur accused him of “taking contracts and money,” allegations which Momand says have seriously harmed his reputation, credibility, and caused him significant mental distress. The notice demands that Gandapur issue a public apology in the presence of the media within seven days. In response to the notice Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur issued a Rs1 billion defamation notice to Momand. The notice states that questions asked during a press interaction — such as “Who is really running the KP government?”, “Why were Taimor Jhagra and Kamran Bangash not included in the cabinet despite Imran Khan’s instructions?” and “Is Faisal Amin Gandapur controlling provincial matters?” — damaged the CM’s reputation, reported by Pakistan Narrative. In an interview with Islamabad News on Sep 19, 2025 Abdullah Momand detailed that a notice was received from Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demanding one billion rupees in damages. The notice was in response to questions asked during a press conference where Momand inquired about two matters. Firstly, he questioned why Cameron Bangish and the Tamer Saleem gang were not included in the cabinet despite instructions from PTI founder Imran Khan. Secondly, he mentioned reports suggesting that Gandapur's brother, Faisal Amin Gandak, was running provincial affairs. Momand stated that Gandapur became angry and made accusations without providing evidence. Momand's lawyer subsequently sent a notice demanding an apology and 11 crore rupees in damages. However, Gandapur responded with a notice of intimidation, claiming that Momand's questions had damaged his reputation. Momand emphasized the importance of media freedom, especially given PTI's current stance on the matter. Abdullah Momand stated in an interview with PPF that a press conference scheduled for September 1, 2025, at the PTI KP House, featuring Ali Amin Gandapur, was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. The event was rescheduled for September 2, 2025, where Momand, referencing a report, posed a question to Gandapur regarding directives from Imran Khan to include Timor Salman and Bangash in the cabinet. However, Gandapur allegedly became confused and inquired about Momand's channel and location. Initially, Gandapur responded by stating that the previous government was providing benefits, which is why Momand was happy, and now they are raising questions. Later, twisting his statement Gandapur claimed he was joking. Momand, said feeling defamed, sent a legal notice to Gandapur, seeking damages for defamation. In response, Gandapur also sent a defamation notice to him for his question. Momand claimed that Gandapur was familiar with him, as they are from the same area, but Gandapur deliberately pretended not to know him and asked about his channel and location to avoid answering the question. A clip is available showing the situation that unfolded during a press briefing on September 2, 2025, at the PTI KP House. Journalist Abdullah Momand posed a question to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur regarding directives from Imran Khan to include Timor Salman and Bangash in the KP cabinet. Gandapur became confused and inquired about Momand's channel and location. In response to Momand's question about why senior PTI leaders weren't inducted into the provincial cabinet despite Imran Khan's instructions, Gandapur stated that the previous government provided benefits to Momand, which is why he was happy, and now raising questions. Later, Gandapur claimed he was joking and said that he will satisfy Momand question. On dated 09-09-2025, Momand sent a legal notice to Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through his advocate, Ghulam Qasim Bhatti Advocates. The notice was in response to a defamatory allegation made against Momand. The notice demands that the recipient retract the defamatory allegation in clear and unambiguous terms and declare publicly that the accusation made against Momand as false and baseless. This retraction should be carried out through national and international media to adequately restore the Momand’s reputation. In the event of failure to comply with these demands within the stipulated period, Momand will institute civil proceedings for damages against the recipient before the competent court of law. The notice claimed damages includes Rs. 100 million as compensation for injury/damage to reputation, Rs. 10 million as compensation for mental tension and emotional distress, and Rs. 2 million towards legal costs and litigation expenses. In response to Momand’s claim on September 12, Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sent a counter notice under section 8 of the Defamation Ordinance, 2009. This notice detailed the incident where Momand allegedly asked a defamatory question during a press briefing held on September 2, 2025. Gandapur claims that the question not only damaged his reputation but also caused him mental distress. The counter notice demanded that Momand retract his statement and tender an unconditional apology within seven days. Gandapur warned that failure to comply with this demand may result in civil proceedings for damages amounting to Rs. 1 billion. Bureau Chief Dawn Iftikhar Sherazi spoke with PPF said that it’s a legal matter and need to discuss the matter with Dawn legal team before commenting. Freelancer Sheraz Ahmed Sherazi speaking to PPF said that a meeting was held with reporters where Abdullah asked a question about why a particular individual was not included in the cabinet despite Imran Khan's instructions. In response to Abdullah's query, Gandapur made a lighthearted remark, which Abdullah took offense to, leading him to send a legal notice. Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar expressed concern over the billion-rupee notice sent to Momand by Gandapur. Tarar views this as an attack on press freedom and democratic values, emphasizing that journalists have a duty to ask questions. He criticized the notice as unconstitutional, illegal, and unethical, aimed at silencing journalists. Tarar stressed that democratic values require answering questions with reason and clarification, not intimidation. He condemned the use of defamation notices and cybercrime proceedings to threaten journalists, calling it an abuse of power that harms Pakistan's reputation. The minister assured that the government stands with the journalist community and will oppose any attempts to suppress the media or violate democratic values.

Category of Incident

Legal Action; Harassment

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 02089- Other acts intended to induce fear or emotional distress

ICCS Group:

ICCS Class:

ICCS Crime:

Reported By

Dawn

Date of incident

2

Month

September

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Abdullah Momand

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

Dawn

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur

City

Islamabad

Province

Federal Capital

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

N/K

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation was announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation was announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation was announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Case was not initiated before any court

Court where case was presented: Case was not initiated before any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing: 02/11/2025

Status of court case: N/A

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Not condemned

APNS

Not condemned

CPNE

Not condemned

PBA

Not condemned

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: No version was needed

Press club 2: No version was needed

Press club 3: No version was needed