Lahore: In the 10 billion rupee defamation case filed by Shehbaz Sharif against PTI founder Imran Khan, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan appeared in court today as a key witness. He recorded his statement before the Session Judge Yilmaz Ghani.
Malik Ahmad Khan said Imran Khan made false allegations against Shehbaz Sharif, accusing him of taking bribes in April 2017. These claims were aired on various television channels. He added that Shehbaz Sharif served the public faithfully as Chief Minister and Prime Minister, and the allegations amounted to misleading propaganda.
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The Speaker cited Islamic principles, noting that lying and backbiting are strictly prohibited. He said Shehbaz Sharif has the right to seek justice in court. During cross-examination, PTI’s lawyer questioned whether the referenced programs aired only in Punjab; Malik Ahmad Khan confirmed they were national broadcasts, not limited to Punjab.
Questions were also asked regarding the Panama Papers case. The Speaker said he had limited knowledge but confirmed that the case involved individuals with foreign investments and acknowledged that Nawaz Sharif was penalized. He denied that Shahbaz Sharif filed a false claim solely because of the Panama case.
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After completing the cross-examination, the court adjourned and summoned Shehbaz Sharif’s additional witnesses for the next hearing on December 13. Speaking to the media, Malik Ahmad Khan described the case as a long-running legal and political struggle and stressed the importance of parliamentary authority in constitutional matters.