Shahbaz files defamation suit against PTI chief

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday filed a defamation suit in the court of district judge in Lahore against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over his claim that the ruling government had offered him Rs10 million bribe to remain silent on the issue of Panama Papers case.

Shahbaz Sharif has claimed Rs10 billion in damages from Khan under sections 4 and 9 of the Defamation Ordinance 2002 for allegedly lying and defaming his reputation.

The petition submitted through Advocate Mustafa Ramday states that, "The plaintiff belongs to a noble family and is a highly respectable individual, who enjoys an excellent reputation in both national and international circles, having a long and illustrious career in politics and public service to his credit. He is incumbent Chief Minister of Punjab, and brother of incumbent Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif."

"The facts and circumstances giving rise to the filing of the instant suit are that since the last week of April, 2017, the Defendant [Imran Khan] started uttering, spreading and resorting to the publication, communication and circulation of maliciously false, baseless and unfounded oral statements and representations against the Plaintiff [Shahbaz Sharif] to the effect that the Plaintiff had, through some person/relative, apparently known to the Defendant as well, offered to pay a sum of Rs 10 billion to the Defendant in exchange for his withdrawing/backing-off from, or remain silent on the issue of the Panama Papers' case," the petition said.-NNI