Lahore: A local court in Lahore has summoned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appear via video link on September 12 in connection with the Rs10 billion defamation case he filed against PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
The hearing, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Yilmaz Ghani, saw little progress as Imran Khan’s lawyer was not available in court. The judge directed that on the next date of hearing, counsels for both sides must be present at 10 a.m. to ensure the case proceeds without further delay.
The case dates back to April 2017, when Imran Khan alleged that Shehbaz Sharif, then Chief Minister of Punjab, had offered him Rs10 billion to remain silent on the Panama Papers issue and withdraw his stance.
In response, Shehbaz Sharif filed a defamation suit in July 2017, seeking Rs10 billion in damages for what he termed a false and malicious accusation. Later, in June 2020, Shehbaz’s lawyer, Mustafa Ramday, moved an application requesting the court for an expedited hearing, arguing that the case had already been pending for three years. The petition also asked for daily hearings.
The court’s latest order to summon the prime minister indicates a renewed push to move the long-delayed
