ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A Lahore sessions court has reserved its decision on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s application seeking to add a legal notice to the record in his ongoing defamation lawsuit against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
Verdict Expected on July 10
Additional Sessions Judge Yilmaz Ghani heard arguments from both parties on Thursday before reserving the verdict. The court is expected to announce its ruling on July 10.
PM Shehbaz has filed a Rs10 billion defamation suit against the PTI founder, citing televised remarks made on April 26, 2017, in which Imran Khan allegedly claimed he was offered a Rs10 billion bribe by Shehbaz Sharif to stay silent on the Panama Papers case.
Bribery Allegation Denounced as “Defamatory”
According to the petition, the prime minister termed the accusation “false and defamatory,” asserting that it caused serious damage to his reputation. The suit states that a legal notice was sent to Imran Khan in May 2017, but no public apology was issued in response.
The PM’s counsel has requested the court to officially include this legal notice in the case record, arguing it strengthens the claim for damages.
Shehbaz Testifies via Video Link
During a previous hearing held on May 17, Shehbaz Sharif appeared via video link and was cross-examined by Imran Khan’s legal team. He reiterated that the televised allegation was a direct attack on his character, stating it was “more damaging than millions of pamphlets.”
While acknowledging that his name was not explicitly mentioned in the broadcast, the prime minister argued that the context of the remarks clearly identified him as the subject.
Shehbaz also testified that he had no knowledge of any written or printed defamatory materials circulated by the PTI founder, but insisted that the televised statement alone was enough to warrant legal redress.
