LAHORE: A sessions court on Thursday adjourned hearing of a Rs 10 billion defamation suit, filed by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over allegations of bribe, till November 4.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Abdul Ghaffar held proceedings of the case.
During the hearing, a counsel on behalf of Imran Khan questioned the maintainability of the suit and argued that the court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the matter as the incident took place in Islamabad, which did not fall under its domain. He pleaded with the court to dismiss the suit as it lacked jurisdiction.
However, Shehbaz Sharif’s counsel submitted that being a resident of Lahore, the petitioner was eligible to approach the court for relief. He contended that the court had jurisdiction to hear the suit.
At this, the court adjourned further hearing till November 4 and directed parties’ counsel to advance further arguments on maintainability of the suit.
Shehbaz Sharif had filed the Rs 10 billion damage suit in district and sessions court under sections 4 and 9 of the Defamation Ordinance 2002 against the PTI chief.
He said that Imran Khan had failed to tender a publicly broadcast apology despite the fact that he was served a legal notice in May for the purpose. He said that Imran Khan should pay Rs 10 billion in damages for attempting to discredit him.
