Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has issued a Rs1 billion defamation notice to former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Shabbar Zaidi, demanding evidence for allegations that the party received money to weaken or suppress public protests.

The legal notice was sent through JI’s lawyer on July 27 over remarks attributed to Zaidi in a podcast and subsequent social media posts, according to the party.

JI said Zaidi had referred to the party as an “establishment’s firewall”, alleging that it helped dilute public issues and protests. The party argued that the remarks implied serious accusations of undisclosed funding, bribery, corruption and cooperation with state elements.

Through the notice, JI has asked Zaidi to substantiate the allegations by providing details of the alleged transaction, including the identities of the person who supposedly paid the money and the recipient, the amount involved, and the date, location and method of payment.

The party has also demanded any available banking records, financial documents, witnesses or other evidence that could establish the alleged payment or support the claims concerning the protest or public issue mentioned by Zaidi.

JI said the allegations had damaged its reputation and demanded Rs1 billion in compensation.

Zaidi, when contacted, said he had passed the legal notice to his lawyer and was seeking legal advice on the matter.