The Sindh High Court’s additional registrar has referred to the court Rs 5 billion defamation suit filed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement against Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan when the latter failed to respond after lapse of two years.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had sued the PTI chairman for allegedly defaming and maligning MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar had filed the suit submitting that Imran Khan had hurled allegations against the MQM chief and accused him for his involvement in murder of PTI leader Zehra Shahid.
The plaintiff quoted PTI chief as saying: “I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder, as he had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts.” PTI leader, Zahra, was shot dead by unidentified persons outside her Defence residence on May 18.
The MQM leader said it had sent a legal notice to Mr Khan but he did not respond. After consultation with the legal advisors, the party decided to file defamation suit against the PTI chairman, he added.
He further said that the PTI had always been the flag-bearer of rule of law though its chairman accused the MQM chief for being involved in murder of PTI leader without any investigation just hours later after the murder of PTI leader. The MQM leader prayed the court to direct the PTI chairman to tender unconditional apology to the MQM chief and other party leaders or pay Rs 5 billion rupees.
On Thursday, Ghulam Mustafa Channa, additional registrar of the SHC noted that records reveals that no written statement on behalf of Mr Khan was filed since February 28, 2014, despite several opportunities of hearing have been provided to him till date. He directed the SHC’s Roster Branch to fix the matter in court for final disposal.
