SC restores Imran Khan’s right of defence in PM's defamation case

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday restored the right of defence of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan in the Rs10 billion defamation case filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, overturning earlier judicial rulings that had barred him from contesting the claim.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Justice Ayesha Malik announced the short order in a two-to-one majority decision. The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench headed by Justice Ayesha Malik, which had earlier reserved its judgement after hearing the review petition.

The case dates back to 2017, when Shehbaz Sharif filed a Rs10 billion defamation suit against Imran Khan after the PTI founder alleged that Shehbaz Sharif had offered him Rs10 billion to remain silent over the Panama Papers case. Shehbaz Sharif denied the allegation and approached the court, describing the claim as false and defamatory.

Proceedings in the case have continued before a sessions court in Lahore. Earlier, the trial court had struck down Imran Khan’s right of defence over delays in submitting a written response. The Lahore High Court (LHC) later upheld that decision, observing that the PTI founder had caused unnecessary delays in the proceedings.

In May 2025, Shehbaz Sharif recorded his statement before the trial court through a video link, while cross-examination of witnesses, including Attaullah Tarar and Malik Ahmad Khan, had already been completed by lawyers representing Imran Khan.

Previously, a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and Justice Ayesha Malik had dismissed Imran Khan’s plea seeking restoration of his defence rights. The majority ruling had held that the PTI founder had deliberately delayed the judicial process.

However, Justice Ayesha Malik had disagreed with the majority opinion and maintained in her dissenting note that no litigant should be deprived of the right to defend themselves. She argued that Imran Khan should have been given an opportunity to present his defence.

The review petition was later heard by another three-member bench led by Justice Ayesha Malik and including Justice Hashim Kakar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The bench subsequently accepted the review petition and restored the PTI founder’s right of defence in the defamation case.

The decision is expected to allow Imran Khan’s legal team to actively participate in the ongoing proceedings before the trial court.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori