Hamid Khan distances himself from representing PTI in Panama Papers case

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

Lawyer Hamid Khan on Friday requested the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to excuse him from representing PTI for litigation of the Panama Papers case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, DawnNews reported.

Hamid Khan submitted the application to the PTI chief, and said the media campaign against him made it impossible for him to continue representing PTI in the apex court.

“After the media campaign it is not possible for me to continue representing PTI in the supreme court,” read the application submitted by Hamid Khan.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed by a senior PTI leader that the decision has been taken to change the lawyer for the Panama Papers case.

“Decision regarding the change of lawyer has been taken but it will be announced on Monday or Tuesday,” said a PTI leader, who wished not to be named.

“Hamid Khan has been requested to humbly step down from the position,” added the PTI leader.

Rumours have been circling on media since yesterday that PTI has decided to change its prosecutor for the Panama case. However, PTI leadership had earlier rejected the rumours and termed them “false”.

A panel of senior lawyers including Hamid Khan and Naeem Bokhari were representing the PTI in the supreme court for litigation of Panama Papers case.

The apex court on Tuesday questioned the quality of the evidence presented by the PTI and deplored that their 680-page submission had almost nothing to do with the Sharif family’s London properties.

“We are at a loss to understand which lawyer is representing whom,” the judge observed, comparing the PTI’s tome of evidence to the never-ending tales from the Arabian Nights. We spent six hours simply looking for the relevant document,” Justice Saeed deplored on Tuesday, asking Hamid Khan again — tongue-in-cheek — whose side he was on.

The case’s latest hearing held on November 17 and it was adjourned to November 30.

Pakistan

PM refused to challenge Panama pleas

SC questions quality of PTI’s evidence

SC adjourns Panamagate case until Nov 30

Nov 18, 2016 07:14pm

Everything needs hard work and proper home work. Just being famous or top notch lawyer won't do the trick. Nothing is lost, PTI can still pull it off with better strategy and a good team.

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AXH

Nov 18, 2016 07:18pm

Hamid Khan wasn't doing a good job in representing the case.

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Zack

Nov 18, 2016 07:23pm

Good luck to the new guy in trying to convert need clippings to presentable evidence.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Nov 18, 2016 07:25pm

Thanks so much Mr. Hamid Khan. It will be a blessing in disguise for PTI.

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Humanity

Nov 18, 2016 07:31pm

Thank God!

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kalia

Nov 18, 2016 07:38pm

Changing on this level is good move from PTI find someone who can fight ..... young talent be good ....

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zahid

Nov 18, 2016 07:52pm

It's a simple case even I can represent PTI, without having legal background. Nawaz Sharif is claiming he bought the properties in 2006, two damning evidences suggest these properties were bought way before 2006. In Sharif's family Al Towfiq Case in London High Court they have attached the same Park Lane properties in 1998 as part of security / collateral to the case. Second solid evidence is London Registry Record for property Title Deed these properties are owned by the same one owner from early 1990s until now. So the case is simple - as said even I can represent PTI and people of Pakistan.

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Sajjad Chitrali

Nov 18, 2016 07:59pm

Wastage of time for PTI. NS will get clean chit for complete sweep in 2018 election. Load shading has gone down considerably. Sympathies for PTI

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Ahmed bin Babar

Nov 18, 2016 08:07pm

Litigation can never be based on hear & say...

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sara_afdal

Nov 18, 2016 08:27pm

It was media who denigrated this honest man. It is not Hamid Khan's fault, he presented what was given to him by PTI. I think it is unfair and denigrating to blame Hamid Khan. He is a man of good repute.

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Nadeem

Nov 18, 2016 08:34pm

That's a good news, we need someone who can present stronger arguments!

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Jalbani Baloch

Nov 18, 2016 08:41pm

These type of people are giving a bad name to PTI. IK should simply remove such kind of people from his party, which create troubles and messy situation in the party.

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mOhammed

Nov 18, 2016 08:47pm

Yes Mr Khan this was all expected from you. Hope now PTI get some one like Baber Awan or the one who is not working with same firm as PM's lawyer.

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aLeX

Nov 18, 2016 08:51pm

Most of the people commenting have no idea about the strong professional background of Hamid Khan. In fact his joining the PTI is a stain on his professional accomplishments.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada

Nov 18, 2016 08:58pm

The way he was handling the case it gave an impression that he had compromised. IK should try Dr. Babar Awan for a change.

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Manzer

Nov 18, 2016 09:00pm

@zahid -- This is the same mistake PTI is making, what you have said here has nothing to do with the actual case. PTI should simply withdraw the case and try its luck in the next election.

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Dr.Sadaf

Nov 18, 2016 09:08pm

Best news.

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Dr.Sadaf

Nov 18, 2016 09:12pm

@Sajjad Chitrali , then that means IK is right when he says that no institution is working in Pakistan.

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Starr, USA

Nov 18, 2016 09:14pm

@kalia Young talent! How young, a team of lawyers from Atchison college!

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asadlateef

Nov 18, 2016 09:17pm

@mOhammed Baber awan ,a fake doctor degree holder .Spearheaded a gang for making a blue film of late amin fahim to defame/Black mail him not ask for PM ship,been the president of PPPP .Awan brothers ,if you recall,were those , who dished out millions to legal fertinities during last ppp rule,which is under probe,as to how much these brothers have pocked from that allocations.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Nov 18, 2016 09:26pm

I don't understand why PTI folks think that IK and company is completely corruption-free. I have no right to claim my salary if I don't show up on my job with similar analogy PTI including IK has just attended 5 parliament sessions in 3 and 1/2 years. What do you call it. Isn't it corruption? Remember the salaries and perks the elected members draw come from the tax payers hard earned money.

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Starr, USA

Nov 18, 2016 09:29pm

@Dr.Sadaf PTI is a party of saints and walies!

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Abid

Nov 18, 2016 09:40pm

Imran Khan is making a mockery of supreme court Hamid khan knows well the proof of burden rest on the him as an accuser to present the evidence to the court if he has no concrete evidence he has no case against nawas sharif what PTI wants from supreme court is to convict nawaz sharif on hear say basis and it will never happen.

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BlueCollar

Nov 18, 2016 09:42pm

After sifting through voluminous papers, SC judges did not find any relevant material related to London flats. Whose side Hamid Khan was on ? SC judge had asked a right question.

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ADEEL CHAUDHARY

Nov 18, 2016 09:43pm

Good News for PTI.....

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ali

Nov 18, 2016 09:51pm

The way he was handling the case leads me to believe that he was working for the other party.

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Manzoor

Nov 18, 2016 09:54pm

The case it self is weak. So what can Hamid khan or any other lawyer do.

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zahiduddin

Nov 18, 2016 10:03pm

I think Babar Awan will be a wrong selection. Hamid Khan should continue.

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K Maliks

Nov 18, 2016 10:10pm

this was inevitable. in a case like this, no court system would accept news articles, books references or public statements as evidence. this is wild goose chase anyway.

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Nadeem

Nov 18, 2016 10:12pm

Wow! Even the Supreme Court...

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Dr.Sadaf

Nov 18, 2016 10:19pm

@sara_afdal , he is not supposed to work with whatever is given to him but find the required and relevant material from all that is given to him and find anything extra that he requires.

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Imran Ahmed

Nov 18, 2016 10:23pm

Judges should keep their own tongues in check and speak only through judgements.

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Ghazali

Nov 18, 2016 10:34pm

If PTI Wants to win the case they have to pay the lawyer( Good Lawyers & Dr never work for free)& not hire someone with in the party..PTI leadership please for once use your common sense & not let this case & people's efforts during the dharna go in vain...

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Harmony-1©

Nov 18, 2016 10:51pm

@Sajjad Chitrali - Those who keep supposing the corrupt lot need their head examined!

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Sarwar, USA.

Nov 18, 2016 10:53pm

@Sajjad Chitrali ... What a shame for endorsing corruption in Pakistan.

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Shahid

Nov 18, 2016 10:56pm

Noon league is using all means to discredit and delay the court proceedings. Smear campaign against HK has been quite obvious.

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Harmony-1©

Nov 18, 2016 10:55pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) - How many times PM went to the parliament in this entire tenure? He only goes there when he was in trouble personally! Is that what happens in a Japanese parliament?

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Arshad,cANADA

Nov 18, 2016 11:04pm

@zahid , ya you can be as good as lady guy. In the Am Garcia case the court was told that the property belong to an offshore company so please exclude it from this case.Second, the property was again under the offshore company until the date The PM family claim it was transferred in their name in 2006. I have no doubt there is a big crime is committed but you have to proof it. I think the letter from Qatar should be the biggest evidence for putting them away.

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Arshad,cANADA

Nov 18, 2016 11:19pm

@Dr.Sadaf , what do mean, is Hamid Khan working for the government institutions? Get some home than go to the court. From the day one of the trail the court is trying toWhy help PTI by saying bring evidence not copies of a book or newspaper s. Raja Imran only could lead the party to a dark alley and than he has no solutions. A good leader open his mouth a little less and show with deeds. Why did he not tell his people to collect all possible evidence but no he is busy with street agitation and Dharna.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Nov 18, 2016 11:43pm

@Harmony-1© No it doesn't happen in Japan but the question raised by you is not the answer of my question regarding the corruption of IK by not attending the parliament sessions. I pity on those who justify the corruption of IK by giving the example of NS. Please come out of this saga that if I am pointing out the mistakes of IK means I am supporting NS. The world is far beyond these two and some people point problems in the system without any afffiliation.

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Harmony-1©

Nov 19, 2016 12:10am

@Philosopher (from Japan) - So, when there is a corruption case, it should be like "what about your corruption"? In all crime cases then, every criminal should say what about your/his crime? Let's keep going round in circles - good idea!!!

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Masoud

Nov 19, 2016 12:17am

I think PTI should field a forceful team of seasoned lawyers. This is a nail biting finish situation. The court believes in solid proofs only.

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zahid

Nov 19, 2016 12:20am

@Arshad,cANADA I think you better watch Hussain Sharif's confessional interview to Javed Chaudary probably televised on March 6, 2016, programme name is Kal Tak - I think. In that confessional interview Hussain Nawaz mentioned clearly who is currently owning the properties, incidently my dear, he named the same two offshore companies as owner, so these properties have never been transferred to Sharif family and is still in the name of two off shore companies. In that interview, Hussain Nawaz mentioned quite clearly he himself is the beneficial owner of those offshore companies, which is run by a trust headed by Maryam Nawaz.

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Starr, USA

Nov 19, 2016 12:24am

@Harmony-1© Prime Minister have other business to take care and not just to go parliament house. s

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Harmony-1©

Nov 19, 2016 12:51am

@Starr, USA - Check other countries where parliaments are, how regularly the PM goes there. You should know better if you are where it seems you are from!

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zahid

Nov 19, 2016 12:53am

@Arshad,cANADA In that interview, I referred in my earlier post, host Javed Chaudry asked Hussain Nawaz, specifically, whether money was transferred from anywhere else than Jeddah he named four or five countries name including Qatar, yes Qatar, and Hussain clearly told the host money was not transferred from Qatar and countries named by the host. The interview was aired one month before Panama leaks hit the headline, then probably Hussain Nawaz while making those confessions did not know how this would panned out in coming months and they will reach to a point for their survival they would require to create a fake letter from a person who himself is charged in corruption and his name is also there in Panama leaks, I'm talking about this so called Qatari prince.

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wAJIH UDDIN qIDWAI

Nov 19, 2016 01:08am

Its better for the case

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Rashid

Nov 19, 2016 01:28am

Hamid Khan shows typical PTI attitude learn from his leader IK. Put the burden of your mistakes to some one else. What media has to do with his incompetency as a lawyer?

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rrabanne

Nov 19, 2016 01:52am

@zahid the case is not about properties, the case is if the money used to buy the properties ill gotten.

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Hasin Ahmed

Nov 19, 2016 02:09am

Good news. Sooner the losers distance themselves from Imran Khan better it is for him.

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jan

Nov 19, 2016 03:04am

@zahid One question: When & where did the money come from and how was it routed abroad & to whose account period

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Nov 19, 2016 03:09am

PTI lawyer team is scrap, first in election 13 JC and now here. On the other hand as , I believe that defender must prove their innocence. But here courts push PTI to bring evidence as panama itself is evidence. PTI just need strong team of lawyers who could really fight hard with available evidences.

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A Citizen

Nov 19, 2016 03:23am

What difference does it make, if the party itself is full of incompetent lot, who can only perform in front if camera?

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Nasir

Nov 19, 2016 03:24am

Judges were right to question irrelevant evidence. Quality is better than quantity fighting a genuine case in a court.

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Freda Shah

Nov 19, 2016 03:30am

The choice of lawyers can make all the difference to losing or winning a case. The need is to select lawyers who can present the case clearly and concisely, without straying into irrelevancies. Panamagate is a highly convoluted case that requires great erudition and mental alertness on the part of selected lawyers.

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Bin Adam

Nov 19, 2016 04:17am

It is surprising that while the case is already under active process in the highest court of the Country there are people freely passing on negative and positive comments in favor of the plaintiff or the defendants. So much so some people been commenting like giving their judgement on the case. All these tantamounts to contempt of court and punishable under the laws of land.

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MSAlvi

Nov 19, 2016 07:15am

PTI needs to present relevant and strong evidence, instead of dumping thousands of pages on the SC. More is not always better.

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Tehseenullah

Nov 19, 2016 07:26am

Good decision to change the prosecutor.

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Ahsan

Nov 19, 2016 07:26am

This news could be embarrassing for Imran Khan but it gives a new twist to the hot topic under speculation everywhere

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Umar

Nov 19, 2016 07:57am

@zahid you are a genius

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Kasamali

Nov 19, 2016 08:06am

@zahid What a confidence !! Just wait. Yes, please wait what new lawyer can do. When case is weak , when material evidences are totally weak and irrelevant, no body can help. We will see what Aitzaz Ahsan or for any other lawyer can do when the case is totally weak . Let us wait Kristen for few days. Let us hope that this new lawyer also do no get replaced as the case proceed. New lawyer will cost PTI a lot expensive. My professor advised us ' Never change your horse in mid stream' . According to him , it is not only it expensive, but is also dangerous. What message NS camp is going to get.

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Politics-R-us

Nov 19, 2016 08:08am

@zahid .The case is not simple as you say,after submitting the letter from former ruler of Qatar, now it has international ramifications,our SC has no jurisdiction over Qatar, or over UK.Now it seems SC will form a single member commission,which will take long time to submit it's findings, and PM Nawaz Sharif will be clean from allegations put up by PTI. Hamid Khan simply is not capable of pursueing this high profile case, you will see the other lawyer Naeem Bokhari may also quit.

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Kasamali

Nov 19, 2016 08:12am

@aLeX You are right. I fear once this case is over, Hamid Khan will leave PTI just like ret.justice Wazihuddin. Real set back for PTI.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Nov 19, 2016 12:14pm

@Harmony-1© I never said that but I want you to come out of the attitude of 'holier than thou', may be you know this Urdu proverb ' is hammam Mein Sab hi nangey hen'. And may be you know the story of innocent women who were facing the stoning to death shouted the audience that please throw the first stone by the one who never committed any crime in life. If IK and NS are on same page on terms of corruption than why do much hue and cry? This drive is not just anti corruption drive but personal vandetta against NS. IK is desperate to get the chair of pm by hooks or by crooks. If the drive is against corruption than why don't he give Dharna against ALEEM khan and other PTI folks whose names were also in panama papers??

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Ashraf yousafzai

Nov 19, 2016 03:36pm

My Impression is that he was reluctant to fight the case as with a 600 pages explaination means to prolong the case. The obsevation made by the Judges which side he was defending are remarks challenging his solidarity.

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Harmony-1©

Nov 19, 2016 04:07pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) - If "ALEEM khan and other PTI folks" are corrupt, isn’t it the government's responsibility to prosecute them? They have all the power to do so. You are going around in circles without any logic. If we don’t get it right this time, the corruption genie will never get into the bottle and the dinosaur of corruption will only get bigger, like never seen before.

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Sohail

Nov 19, 2016 07:33pm

It is not hamid khan fault. I think this twitter trend is good "Change chairman not lawyer".

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Nov 20, 2016 04:27pm

@Harmony-1© Dear if checking the corruption of ALEEM khan and PTI folks is the responsibility of govt institutions than IK and PTI should stop jumping on toes because checking nawaz' s corruption is also the responsibility of govt institutions. The logic is clear if you have some, first clear the mess inside your party than start looking others. Shouting others as corrupt corrupt but party owns corrupt under its umbrella is clearly signifies that IK is desperate to get the seat of NS by hooks or by crooks and his blind followers always try to defend him without any logic by saying he is the most honest man on earth which is completely false, fabrication, and concoction because he draws salaries n perks from parliament but doesn't attend sessions. Hope you understand the point.

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Harmony-1©

Nov 21, 2016 03:10pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) - If the govt institutions were independent then, yes, you would expect them to investigate PM as well. But as we all know investigative institutions are compromised and not independent. This is clear to all but perhaps 'clear as mud' to you!

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