Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Zulfi Bukhari is suing Reham Khan for defamation after she alleged that he had personal interests in the sale of the Roosevelt Hotel.
In a tweet from 6 December, 2019 that has since been deleted, along with a link to a Youtube commentary, Reham Khan said that Pakistani’s national assets were being sold to help people like Zulfi Bukhari and Aneel Mussarat. She further called it “an act of robbery”.
Appealing for support, Reham Khan’s son wrote that “this is going to be a case of critical importance for freedom of expression on matters of demonstrable public interest, Reham Khan simply discussed the matter while demanding transparency over important decisions regarding its administration’ and “this libel case is an attack on freedom of speech and the rights of Pakistanis. Reham Khan has nothing to gain by speaking out about the Roosevelt Hotel but was affected by the series of events, as all patriotic Pakistanis would be. We must fight against tactical suppression of such voices.”
Reham Khan needs funds
To help support her fight against Zulfi in London High Court, Reham set up an online funding page, hosted by her son Sahir Khan where she is asking for up to £30,000 in donations.
To fight for my right to talk about the Roosevelt Hotel case I will need the support of all my friends & followers against Zulfi Bukhari in the London High Court.
Here is the link to my official crowd funding page
Plz donate👇🏼https://t.co/LHTfJoZySl— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) August 23, 2020
In the comments of the fundraiser supporters of PTI have gathered in hoards, calling out the lack of monetary support Reham has received. They even linked back to some of her previous tweets where she called out ex-husband Imran Khan for asking citizens for donations:
ریحام رمضان @RehamKhan1 بھیک مانگ رہی ہیں، مدد کی منتظر ہیں !!
جھوٹ بولنے پر @sayedzbukhari نے عدالت میں گھسیٹ لیا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/TSq0WKzLgx
— BehindYouSkipper 🏏 (@tuseefabbasi91) August 25, 2020
Zulfi Bukhari has been unavailable for comment on the situation, but the court papers show that the case is of quite serious nature. Zulfi is seeking an apology, a retraction of allegations, and damages from Reham Khan.
Reham Khan is being represented by Hamlins law firm, and Zulfi by a defamation law specialist firm. Reham has denied all allegations and she has announced to fight the claim.
Zulfi’s lawyers have pointed out that there were five members in the advisory committee tasked to deal with the future of the Roosevelt hotel and that Mr. Bukhari is being singled out and maligned
This isn’t the first time there’s been an altercation between the two. Back in 2018, Reham Khan spoke to the Daily Mail about how ‘cringeworthy’ Imran Khan’s new wedding photos were. She was of course, referring to Bushra Maneka’s photos, who Imran Khan married after divorcing Reham.
Calling the wedding snaps ‘political suicide’, she told MailOnline:
‘To have a woman veiled head to toe, he has alienated a lot of people. It has not gone down well, four months before the Pakistan election this is political suicide.
Her comments were not taken well and Zulfi was quick to share his thoughts
Extremely reckless and opportunistic rhetoric by Reham. Pandering to tabloids and in the process insulting every Muslim woman around the world, who chooses to veil herself in any way she wishes. https://t.co/ltPqlCfpYe
— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) February 24, 2018
Hijab/Veil-wearing women face the hate and abuse in many parts of the western world. Their everyday struggle and and fight for their liberty from Europe to America has just been insulted by Reham. An apology is required for this disgusting insult.
— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) February 24, 2018
It’s quite clear that the two parties have no love lost between them. We’re waiting to see what Zulfi has to say about the recent situation.
