Islamabad: The Supreme Court has restrained the trial court from proceeding against Imran Khan in the Rs10 billion defamation case and has issued a notice to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking his response.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ayesha Malik and comprising Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the review petition filed by the former PTI chairman against the Lahore trial court’s decision to terminate his right of defence in the defamation suit. The apex court issued a stay order and directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to submit a reply.
During the hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel, Ali Zafar, argued that his client had suffered a serious leg injury due to a gunshot wound and was therefore unable to appear before the court. Despite this, the trial court terminated his right of defence.
Justice Ayesha Malik remarked that when the trial court itself had acknowledged that Imran Khan was injured and had granted him exemption from appearance on two occasions on that basis, it raised questions as to how his right of defence could subsequently be withdrawn.
Ali Zafar requested the court to maintain the stay on trial court proceedings, stating that witness testimonies were currently being recorded and the case had reached its final stages. He informed the bench that Shehbaz Sharif had already recorded his statement via video link in May 2025.
The Supreme Court accepted the request and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.
It is pertinent to note that in 2017, Imran Khan had alleged that Shehbaz Sharif offered him Rs10 billion in exchange for remaining silent in the Panama Papers case. Shehbaz Sharif rejected the allegations as baseless and malicious and subsequently filed a Rs10 billion defamation suit against him in the Lahore Sessions Court.
