Arguments sought on defamation suit against PTI founder

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>LAHORE: A sessions court on Saturday sought arguments from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s counsel on a miscellaneous application by a lawyer for PTI founding chairman Imran Khan seeking permission to meet his client in jail regarding a Rs10 billion defamation suit filed by the former against the latter.</p> <p>Earlier, Khan’s counsel, Muhammad Hussain Chotia, argued for permission to meet his client at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, saying he needed instructions from him regarding the case and his signatures on documents.</p> <p>He told the court that the jail authorities were not allowing the meeting. He asked the court to direct the jail superintendent to permit him to meet Khan.</p> <p>Additional District &amp; Sessions Judge Yalmaz Ghani adjourned the hearing till Oct 31 and sought arguments from the prime minister’s lawyer.</p> <p>In his suit filed in 2017, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Imran Khan levelled baseless allegations against him in connection with the Panama Papers controversy.</p> <p>He sought a decree for recovery of Rs10bn as compensation from the defendant for publication of defamatory content.</p> <p>Several key government figures, including Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan have already recorded their statements in support of the plaintiff, the prime minister.</p> <p><em>Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2026</em></p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.