The claim relates to a television report broadcast in April 2022 that alleged Shayan attempted to confront former prime minister Nawaz Sharif outside the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) office near Hyde Park in London and threw a mobile phone that reportedly injured a security guard
LONDON: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 24th, 2026) A defamation lawsuit filed by British-Pakistani political activist Shayan Ali against a television broadcaster is advancing toward trial in the High Court of England and Wales, with a key procedural hearing expected in the coming days.
The claim relates to a television report broadcast in April 2022 that alleged Shayan attempted to confront former prime minister Nawaz Sharif outside the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) office near Hyde Park in London and threw a mobile phone that reportedly injured a security guard.
Shayan has consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that he neither attacked Nawaz Sharif nor threw his phone. According to his account, he was filming outside the party office when the incident occurred. He was not arrested or charged in connection with the matter.
Following the broadcast, Shayan lodged a complaint with Ofcom, the United Kingdom’s media regulator. After reviewing the case, Ofcom ruled that the broadcaster had failed to exercise adequate care in presenting the allegations and had not ensured fairness in its reporting.
The regulator found that the broadcaster did not demonstrate that Shayan had been given a timely and appropriate opportunity to respond to the accusations before they were aired. Ofcom concluded that the programme treated him unfairly and that the allegations were presented without sufficient consideration of his position.
According to court filings, Shayan argues that the broadcast portrayed him as having committed a criminal act and caused significant reputational damage among audiences in the United Kingdom, Pakistan and elsewhere. He is seeking damages reportedly approaching £100,000.
The broadcaster has denied liability and filed a defence, contesting the claim. Legal representatives for the channel confirmed that proceedings remain ongoing but declined to comment further while the case is before the court.
Shayan’s legal team has also refrained from discussing the substance of the dispute, citing the ongoing litigation, but said they remain confident in their client's case.
Court records indicate that the matter could require a trial lasting approximately one week. The upcoming hearing is expected to address case management issues and determine the next stages of the proceedings.
No findings have yet been made by the High Court regarding liability or the merits of either party’s claims.
