Panama case was not against me: PM Shehbaz appears in Rs10bn defamation case

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appeared via video link before a Lahore sessions court on Saturday in a PKR10 billion defamation case against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, with proceedings adjourned until 2 June.

The PM opened his testimony by congratulating the judge and courtroom staff on Pakistan’s recent cricket victory against India in the brief escalation between the two nations. “Congratulations to all on this victory,” PM Shehbaz said, to which Judge Yalmaz Ghani responded, “Congratulations to you too.”

During cross-examination by PTI lawyer Mian Muhammad Hussain, the premier denied ever leveling unsubstantiated allegations in politics. “I have never made accusations without evidence,” he stated when questioned about political rhetoric.

PKR10bn defamation case: PM Shehbaz dubs allegations baseless

The case stems from a 2017 lawsuit filed by Shehbaz, then Punjab chief minister, over alleged defamatory statements. When pressed about whether legal notices were sent to media outlets, the PM acknowledged a news report about the speech in question was published on 29 April 2017 but maintained no additional notices were issued.

Proceedings grew tense when the PTI counsel referenced the Panama Papers case. “The Panama case wasn’t against me,” the PM responded, though he admitted being unfamiliar with the verdict details. “I wasn’t a party to it, but this is all part of the record.”

The prime minister, citing international travel commitments, requested the court to avoid “unnecessary questions.” The judge subsequently adjourned the hearing until 2 June after the PTI counsel completed his cross-examination.