A sessions court in Lahore has sought arguments from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s counsel on an application requesting permission for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan’s lawyer to meet him in jail regarding a Rs10 billion defamation case. Additional District and Sessions Judge Yalmaz Ghani adjourned the hearing until October 31.
Imran Khan’s counsel, Muhammad Hussain Chotia, asked the court to allow him to meet his client at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He told the court that he needed instructions from Khan regarding the ongoing case, along with his signatures on relevant documents. According to the lawyer, jail authorities had not been allowing the meeting, prompting him to seek judicial directions for the jail superintendent to permit access.
After hearing the application, Judge Yalmaz Ghani sought arguments from the prime minister’s lawyer and fixed October 31 for the next hearing. The court has not announced a final decision on the request for a meeting, and the matter remains pending.
The Rs10 billion defamation suit was filed by Shehbaz Sharif in 2017 against Imran Khan. In the lawsuit, Shehbaz alleged that Khan had made baseless allegations against him in connection with the Panama Papers controversy. The prime minister sought compensation of Rs10 billion, claiming that the alleged defamatory content had harmed his reputation.
Several government figures have already recorded statements in support of Shehbaz Sharif in the case. These include Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, according to the report.
The latest hearing concerns the lawyer’s request to meet Imran Khan in jail to obtain instructions and complete documentation for the defamation proceedings. The next court hearing, scheduled for October 31, is expected to address arguments on the miscellaneous application.
Court Seeks Arguments in Rs10 Billion Defamation Suit Against Imran Khan
