Majority verdict overturns earlier rulings in Rs10 billion suit filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Image: Al Jazeera
The Supreme Court has restored the right of defence of Imran Khan in a long-running defamation case filed by Shehbaz Sharif, setting aside earlier orders of lower courts.
The case relates to allegations made by Imran Khan in 2017, when he claimed Shehbaz Sharif had offered money to withdraw the Panama Papers case. In response, Shehbaz filed a Rs10 billion defamation suit, which has remained pending for eight years.
A two-judge majority of the Supreme Court review bench ruled in favour of restoring Khan’s right of defence and directed the trial court to continue proceedings in accordance with the law. One judge issued a dissenting note, supporting the earlier decision to maintain the restriction.
The ruling overturns previous decisions by the trial court and the Lahore High Court, which had closed Khan’s right of defence over delays in the proceedings.
