LAHORE - A sessions court on Friday gave PTI chief Imran Khan another chance to submit reply to the defamation suit filed by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. When an additional district and sessions judge resumed hearing, the counsel for Khan was absent. On this, the court issued a notice to the defendant again and sought reply. The court adjourned the hearing until Feb 17.
Sharif, in his personal capacity, had filed a defamation suit of Rs10 billion against Khan, who had accused the chief minister of offering him bribe to withdraw the Panama Papers case last year.
The chief minister moved another application seeking early disposal of his defamation suit against Khan. Advocate Mustafa Ramday, the counsel for Sharif, argued that defendant Khan levelled false allegations against Sharif on television channels. He said Khan claimed that he was offered Rs10 billion by Sharif against withdrawal of Panama Papers case.
The counsel said that allegations of corruption were of serious nature and damaged his client’s repute. He said the allegations also caused his client mental agony and stress. He asked the court to issue a decree for recovery of Rs10 billion as compensation in his favour.