CM Shehbaz files defamation suit against Imran Khan
Imran Khan made "utterly false statement", the petition stated.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has filed a defamation suit in the court of district judge in Lahore today (Monday) against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan over his claim that the ruling government had offered him Rs10 million bribe to remain silent on the issue of Panama Papers case.
Shehbaz Sharif has claimed Rs10 billion in damages from Khan under sections 4 and 9 of the Defamation Ordinance 2002 for allegedly lying and defaming his reputation.
The chief minister also posted a message on Twitter:
Sued IK for slander ... Imagine, having to force him to stop lying for fear of monetary loss, and not of face or honour ...
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 7, 2017
ALSO READ: Shehbaz Sharif’s close ally offered Rs10bn bribe: Imran Khan
The petition submitted through Advocate Mustafa Ramday states that the “plaintiff belongs to a noble family and is a highly respectable individual, who enjoys an excellent reputation in both national and international circles, having a long and illustrious career in politics and public service to his credit. He is incumbent Chief Minister of the Province of Punjab, and brother of the incumbent Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.”
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“The facts and circumstances giving rise to the filing of the instant suit are that since the last week of April, 2017, the Defendant [Imran Khan] started uttering, spreading and resorting to the publication, communication and circulation of maliciously false, baseless and unfounded oral statements and representations against the Plaintiff [Shehbaz] to the effect that the Plaintiff had, through some person/relative, apparently known to the Defendant as well, offered to pay a sum of Rs100,000,000,000/- (Rupees Ten Billion) to the Defendant in exchange for his withdrawing/backing-off from, or remain silent on the issue of the Panama Papers’ case,” the petition said.
“It is therefore most respectfully prayed that a decree for recovery of Rs 10,000,000,000 (Rupees Ten Billion) as compensation for the publication of the aforesaid defamatory content be passed against the defendant (Imran Khan) and in favour of the plaintiff,” the petition added.
On this, Additional District and Sessions Judge Azfar Sultan issued a notice to Imran Khan to appear on July 21.
