PM joins defamation suit hearing online

During a hearing of Rs10 billion defamation suit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that PTI founder Imran Khan had made indirect slanderous remarks against him.

The District and Sessions court judge presided over the hearing, where PM Shehbaz Sharif joined the hearing through a video link.

During a cross-examination, PM Shehbaz Sharif said Imran Khan did not pronounce his name in the TV program but it is very clear that his baseless accusations were clearly aimed at him.

The PM said that the PTI founder had claimed in the program that former premier Nawaz Sharif offered him (Khan) a bribe of Rs10 billion through his brother. The PM said since he was the only living brother of the former premier when Imran leveled allegations, his reputation was hurt by Imran's slanderous remarks.

During the cross-examination, Shehbaz Sharif said he was not aware of any written defamation in the form of posters or pamphlets, adding the impacts of scandalous remarks broadcast by a TV channel are far more damaging than the printed materials.

During the hearing, PM Shehbaz Sharif's counsel objected over questions about audio recording of Justice (retd) Malik Qayum, arguing that his client was not bound to answer the question in the particular case.

During the hearing, PM Shehbaz Sharif's counsel argued that the Supreme Court and High Court had terminated IK's right to file a counterclaim.

IK's counsel argued that IK's right of defense has been terminated. However, no court has declared his counterclaim ineffective.