LEGAL
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought a response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while restraining the Lahore trial court from taking further action against Imran Khan in a Rs 10 billion defamation case.
A bench headed by Justice Ayesha Malik, comprising Justices Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued a stay order on the trial court’s application for review against the termination of Khan’s right of defense. The court also issued a notice to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the matter.
During the hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel, Ali Zafar, explained that his client sustained a bullet wound to the leg, preventing him from appearing in court. The trial court had previously terminated Khan’s right of defense citing his non-appearance.
Justice Ayesha Malik observed that since the trial court itself had acknowledged Imran Khan’s injury and had exempted him from appearing on two prior dates, terminating his right of defense appeared unjustified.
The lawyer further requested a stay on trial court proceedings, noting that the case was in its final stages and evidence was still being recorded. The plaintiff, Shahbaz Sharif, had previously submitted his statement via video link in May 2025.
The Supreme Court accepted the request and adjourned the hearing indefinitely.
The case dates back to 2017, when Imran Khan alleged that Shahbaz Sharif had offered him a bribe of Rs 10 billion to remain silent in the ‘Panama Papers Leaks’ case. Shahbaz Sharif subsequently filed a defamation suit for Rs 10 billion, labeling the allegations as false, malicious, and baseless.
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