MQM moved a defamation suit against Pakistan Tehreek Insaf and its leader in 2013. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Saturday paid the amount of Rs50,000 as fine imposed by the Sindh High Court for failing to appear on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) allegations of defaming them and their chief Altaf Hussain.
On July 2013, MQM leader Farooq Sattar sued Imran Khan and his party for, what he called, the character assassination of MQM chief.
During the proceedings of the case, referring to the killing of PTI member Zohra Shahid on May 18, 2013 in Karachi’s defense neighborhood by unidentified assailants, MQM maintained that soon after the incident Imran Khan made the aforementioned accusation.
The MQM pleaded the court to direct the PTI chairman tender an unconditional apology in addition to paying Rs5 billion to compensate for the damages his defamatory remarks caused to the party.
Read: No-show in court: SHC asks Imran Khan to pay Rs50,000 fine
Earlier, on July 25, 2013, the SHC bench issued notice to Imran Khan to file their response as well as file documents, if any.
However, on the continuous failure to appear before the court or respond the the notice, the SHC imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on March 26.
On Saturday, court officials revealed PTI chief had paid the fine with a request to grant them the opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations before the suit was decreed ex-parte.
Read: Defamation case: Imran Khan’s lawyer fined for late reply
Allowing the request, the court fixed the defamation suit for hearing on April 15.
Zahra Shahid was shot dead outside her residence right after her party emerged as a political stakeholder in the May 11 general elections in Karachi.
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