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Supreme Court Stays Lahore Trial in PM Shehbaz’s Rs10bn Defamation Case Against Imran Khan
The Supreme Court of Pakistan stays trial in PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Rs10bn defamation suit against Imran Khan, citing the former premier’s right to fair defence after injury in a 2022 assassination attempt.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-20
Supreme Court Stays Lahore Trial in PM Shehbaz’s Rs10bn Defamation Case Against Imran Khan

der the petitioner’s right to defence.

Filed in 2017, the suit accuses Imran Khan of making baseless allegations, claiming that PM Shehbaz offered Rs10bn through a mutual friend to drop the Panama Papers case. The PTI founder contended that he disclosed the alleged incident in the public interest and did not directly attribute any statements to the Prime Minister, which he argued did not constitute defamation.

Supreme Court Intervention

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Ayesha A Malik and including Justices Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and Ishtiaq Ibrahim, reviewed petitions filed by Imran challenging the closure of his right to defence by the trial court.

Senator Barrister Ali Zafar, representing Imran, informed the court that the PTI founder could not attend the trial due to a leg injury sustained during an assassination attempt in November 2022. He added that the trial court had prematurely closed Imran’s right to defence despite acknowledging his injury.

Justice Malik questioned how the trial court had “terminated the right to defence” under such circumstances and directed the office to fix the review petitions for hearing at the earliest.

Background of the Case

Earlier, the trial court had dismissed Imran’s objections over non-submission of answers to interrogatories and struck off his right to defence. The Lahore High Court and the SC previously upheld the trial court’s decision, citing Imran’s alleged contumacious behaviour.

Justice Malik, dissenting in the earlier judgment, had emphasised the need to balance fair trial rights with procedural requirements. She noted that the trial court’s mechanical handling of adjournments and failure to consider Imran’s injury amounted to “gross injustice,” and the petitioner deserved a reasonable opportunity to answer interrogatories.

Former SC judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had also observed that while courts manage high caseloads, fairness and diligent application of procedural law remain paramount. Justice Malik stressed that “the balancing act of justice must be upheld,” ensuring the right to a fair defence.

Conversely, Justice Shah had expressed that Imran’s conduct disentitled him from indulgence under Article 185(3) of the Constitution, stating that interrogatories had been “abused” to prolong litigation. He highlighted the need to discourage misuse of legal tools to ensure efficiency in justice delivery.

Next Steps

The Supreme Court’s stay ensures that the trial court must now provide Imran Khan a fair opportunity to submit responses and present his defence before proceeding with recording evidence. The decision underscores the apex court’s commitment to balancing procedural compliance with fundamental rights to a fair trial in high-profile cases.
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