LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has filed a defamation suit in the court of district judge in Lahore against Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf Chairman Imran Khan over his claim that the ruling government had offered him Rupees 10 million bribe to remain silent on the issue of Panama Papers case.
After initial hearing, a local court issued notice to the PTI chairman to submit his reply to the defamation suit by July 21.The chairman made his bribe claim after the Panama Papers revelations about the Sharif family’s London properties having triggered political storm in Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif has claimed Rs 10 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 the Province of Punjab, and brother of the incumbent Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif.”
Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders demanded Khan to disclose the name of the person who convened offer to him. To which the PTI chairman said that over disclosure of the name, the person could face the wrath of the rulers, as what he had said, the ruling party was not a democratic party but a group of fascists scapegoating others to safeguard their personal interests.
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