ISLAMABAD-
The hearing of a defamation case filed by former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was adjourned till February 14 by a district and session judge on Thursday, private media reported.
The ex-CJ had filed a Rs 20 billion defamation lawsuit against Khan for allegedly maligning the Supreme Court and accusing him of rigging in May 11, 2013 general elections.
Babar Awan filed power of attorney to represent Khan in the case after which Iftikhar Chaudhry’s counsel challenged Awan’s power of attorney, accusing him of being involved in corruption.
Sheikh Ahsanuddin, the ex-CJ’s lawyer, said that Babar Awan made billions of rupees through corruption.
Iftikhar Chaudhry’s counsel and Babar Awan had an exchange of harsh words during the court session as he argued that Chaudhry had suspended Babar Awan’s law license in the past.
Babar Awan argued that Imran Khan has faced “countless injustices” due to which he had to come out on the streets.
District and Session Judge Nazeer Ahmed remarked that a decision will be taken without any pressure. The court also asked Chaudhry’s counsel to present his case regarding his accusations against Awan in the next hearing.
The court directed Imran Khan’s counsel to submit his reply till February 14.
Previously, Khan had alleged former Chief Justice for supervising rigging carried out during the May 2013 General Elections.
Later on, Iftikhar Chaudhry’s counsel sent a defamation notice worth Rs20 billion to the PTI Chairman, on the grounds that he leveled rigging allegations against the ex-chief justice.