Wasim Akram serves notice on Pak-Suzuki (24 Oct 1997)

24 October 1997

Wasim Akram serves notice on Pak-Suzuki

By Faraz Hashmi

ISLAMABAD, Oct 23: Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram on Thursday served a legal notice on Pak Suzuki Motors asking the firm to pay Rs. 50 million for "illegally" using his name.

"Our client is astonished and shocked to note that your company has promoted its corporate name and products by illegally using the picture of our client's world famous bowling action," Barrister Kamaluddin Azfar stated in the legal notice served on behalf of Wasim Akram.

Life-size pictures of Wasim Akram are displayed in prominent accredited showrooms of Pak Suzuki Motors throughout Karachi and elsewhere, he said adding that this illegal action was in full concurrence of Pak Suzuki to the detriment of his client.

"Our client is one of the world's top few sportsmen and is recognized to be one of all-time great allrounders in the game of cricket," Mr. Azfar said.

Mr. Azfar pointed out that cricket was one of the most popular games in Pakistan, United Kingdom, Australia, India, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Hong Kong, Canada and Bangladesh and as a cricket star Wasim Akram was watched by millions on television in international matches throughout the world.

"Apart from being a cricket professional, our client's name and image is associated with the promotion of goods, services and corporate images," said the notice.

"Our client is the most sought-after sportsman for the promotion of corporate and produce huge promotion throughout the world. Among the companies and the products which have been promoted with the consent of our client are: Pepsi-Cola, British Telecom, ANZ Grindlays Bank, PIA, Paktel and other multinational and national corporate entities," he added.

Mr. Azfar called upon the company either to pay Rs. 50 million within seven days as compensation or prepare to face a suit for recovery of damages.

Source:: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)