SC seeks PM’s response, halts action against Imran in defamation case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Prime Minister, restraining the trial court from taking action against Imran in a defamation case.

A bench headed by Justice Ayesha Malik, comprising Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued a stay order on the Lahore trial court’s application for a review against the termination of the right of defense in the Rs 10 billion defamation case against the former PTI chairman, issuing a notice to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Ali Zafar, said that my client was seriously injured due to a bullet wound in the leg and could not appear in court, based on which the trial court terminated his right of defense.

Justice Ayesha Malik remarked that when the trial court itself had admitted that Imran Khan was injured, he was also exempted from appearing on two dates based on his injuries, so how could his right of defense be terminated?

The learned counsel, while requesting a stay on the proceedings of the trial court, stated that the evidence is currently being recorded in the trial court and the case is in the final stages. The plaintiff, Shahbaz Sharif, has also recorded his statement through video link in May 2025.

The court accepted the learned counsel’s request and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.

It may be recalled that in 2017, Imran Khan had claimed that Shahbaz Sharif had offered him a bribe of Rs 10 billion in return for appealing to him to remain silent in the ‘Panama Papers Leaks’ case.

However, Shahbaz Sharif had filed a defamation claim of Rs 10 billion against him in the Lahore Sessions Court, calling these allegations baseless, malicious and a lie.