Court summons Imran on Jan 29 over libel suit filed by ex-CJ

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad Tuesday summoned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over a defamation notice worth Rs20 billion filed by former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The PTI chief had accused the former chief justice of poll rigging in the 2013 general election.

The former CJ's counsels Sheikh Ehsanuddin and Taufeeq Asif argued in the court today that Khan's allegations against their client were defamatory and claimed Rs20 billion in damages.

Chaudhry petitioned to the court, saying that the rigging allegations levelled against him were false.

He also recounted how in a written response to the previous libel notice which was issued on July 24 last year, Imran's lawyers had said that he did not mean to “abuse or disrespect any member of the judiciary”, and had urged the former chief justice to “reconsider the idea of entering into personal litigation”.

Chaudhry said that Khan should pay Rs20 billion in damages for attempting to discredit him.

District and Sessions judge Justice Nazir Ahmed Gajana sought Khan's reply and directed him to appear before it on Jan 29.

Last year, Chaudhry had sent a libel notice of Rs20 billion as well, stating that legal proceedings would be initiated against the PTI chief if he failed to apologise for the allegations he had levelled against the former chief justice.

Examine: Iftikhar Chaudhry sends Rs20 billion libel notice to Imran Khan

Imran had said he stood by the allegations he had levelled against Iftikhar Chaudhry, while his aides claimed the lawyer drafted the letter without consulting with the PTI chairman.

Imran responds to lawsuit

Speaking to media representatives outside his Bani Gala residence, Imran said that he does not have Rs20 billion to give as a compensatory amount to the former CJ.

The PTI chief said that he would pursue this matter, claiming that the CJ's role in the 2013 election rigging is coming to the forefront.

"Rs20 billion is quite a lot of money and I don't have that amount. I will ask Arsalan Iftikhar for money as he has managed to make a lot of it," Khan said.

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Mrs. Khan

Jan 20, 2015 12:30pm

good!

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Basit Khan

Jan 20, 2015 12:34pm

Good. You can't just go around hurling allegation without proofs, just because you could not become the Prime Minister. This shall hopefully teach him a lesson.

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Jan 20, 2015 12:36pm

This will give PML (N)'s very own - Ex Cheif Justice, a good media lime light.

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TrueMuslim

Jan 20, 2015 12:36pm

Now is the chance for IK to show every one. that he was speaking the truth. If he failed to do so... im shifting to JI. sheajal-ul- haq

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asgher

Jan 20, 2015 12:38pm

clear blackmailing by court and judicial system

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Ali

Jan 20, 2015 12:46pm

Excellent way of earning?

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Sayyar Khan

Jan 20, 2015 12:47pm

Don't go IK Pakistani courts are joke.

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Shaz

Jan 20, 2015 12:49pm

IK, actually this is the rate he charges now a days, he would have asked for more had he been on duty.

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sami

Jan 20, 2015 12:51pm

Mr iftikhar the whole judicary knows about your past how corupt you have been throgh out your carrier.

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M Rafique

Jan 20, 2015 01:04pm

What will be the amount of court fee to file case of claim for such a huge amount, is any body can help ?

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resa

Jan 20, 2015 01:07pm

I am glad some one is making IK accountable of his uncontrolled allegations he made. It is completely against freedom of all norms to dishonor people without proof.

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Umair Babar Chishti

Jan 20, 2015 01:07pm

Let the truth be out in the open. Is Imran Right or CJ? Let the courts decide (hopefully)!

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khanm

Jan 20, 2015 01:08pm

Khan's allegations against their client were defamatory and claimed Rs 20 billion in damages. CJ??? was he famous???? i guess it is a way of making an easy money.Many lawyer who has dealt in defamation, they know that someone's reputation has to be lowered in the eyes of right-thinking people to sue.

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Hasan Hasni

Jan 20, 2015 01:17pm

I understand there are hundreds of thousand cases are pending in the court. May this is rumor or you have to be powerful man than court hear your case early.

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Justice

Jan 20, 2015 01:19pm

So now the ex-Chief Justice's pension is going to be boosted on receiving moneis on libel suit claims because other sources of bribes have now stopped. lol

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Ali

Jan 20, 2015 01:33pm

@Mrs. Khan what good? share with us.

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Azam Jamil

Jan 20, 2015 01:37pm

Isn't it pathetically sad that the man the entire country fought to restore ( except one party ) is the focus of national criticism (except one party )

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Muhammad

Jan 20, 2015 01:48pm

Good, that we shall know who is right and who is wrong...but sorry I missed a point, will the Judiciary of Pakistan be able to decide this case...why not we send this case to the Military Court!!!!!!!

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Riaz

Jan 20, 2015 01:48pm

@JZ Sir; "Main na Manoon".

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Umer Ali

Jan 20, 2015 01:50pm

Who says our sacred courts are keeping quiet all the time. They do react at times specially when someone libels against ex CJ.

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A. Mangal

Jan 20, 2015 01:52pm

Iftekhar Chaudhary you ought be ashamed of yourself by bringing a frivolous law suit. Instead, you should be sued for legislating out of jydiciary, not doing your job yet firing Sou motos, releasing hard core terrorists and threw whole judiciary into disarray. Could some one please tell Faisal Raza Abdi to come back to sue CJ whose loan was not legal per Mr Abdi?

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nilor khan

Jan 20, 2015 01:58pm

The Ex- judge is responsible of rigged elections in 2013. He had also freed all the terrorists who are now free and involved in terrorism. How many cases has be decided during his tenure ?

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nilor khan

Jan 20, 2015 02:00pm

Pakistan's judicial system is a joke.

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ASH

Jan 20, 2015 02:00pm

@sami You should be careful you might get a WRIT for Defamation of Character. You cannot make remarks like that.

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concerned

Jan 20, 2015 02:01pm

How is this case jumping the queue? Others have to wait decades for their case to be heard. Some kind of a retirement perk?

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Goga Nalaik

Jan 20, 2015 02:07pm

This is what our courts are good at...!!! IK has not stolen wealth of this country IK has all his wealth declared and in the country IK is not corrupt Whereas, every tenure of Nawaz Shareef has resulted in tremendous increase of his personal assets which is not is millions but in billions and when we look at what he pays as wealth tax... it is just a shame... Nawaz Shareef is a tax evader Asif zardari follows the same path as Nawaz Shareef Instead of putting hand on these corrupts, our judiciary has decided to target IK again

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Shuaib Bhat

Jan 20, 2015 02:12pm

@TrueMuslim NO PLEASE!! Wait for me!! Trust me!! Everyday, literally everyday, step by step, I'm moving towards making a better Pakistan. Please support me when the time comes! I'm assembling the team. I only have 5 members but they're all topping their uni classes, very intelligent and hard workers.

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Moosa

Jan 20, 2015 02:18pm

@TrueMuslim it's Siraj ul Haq

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Moosa

Jan 20, 2015 02:18pm

lol @ "Rs20 billion is quite a lot of money and I don't have that amount. I will ask Arsalan Iftikhar for money as he has managed to make a lot of it"

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Imran Khan

Jan 20, 2015 02:31pm

@concerned The same argument could be applied to IK asking his cases to be heard first!

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rashid

Jan 20, 2015 02:54pm

Basit Khan there was enough proof against Arsalan Iftikhar to send him behind bars for a very long time. Like father like son. Yes let Imran Khan come to the court, and let us see who teaches whom a lesson.

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Thoroughthinker

Jan 20, 2015 02:55pm

They are laughing in picture! Let us see who gets the last lough !

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Dr Abdul Majeed Chachar

Jan 20, 2015 03:11pm

How much money u have earned from Shaukat khanam hospital,Mr IK

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Gaz

Jan 20, 2015 03:21pm

This ex judge is the devil in disguise. It was clear from 2007 onwards that he was in bed with the Shariffs he went after the Musharraf regime and PPP politicians but not a single case against PML-N politicians. He needs to be brought to trial for his crimes.

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Arshad

Jan 20, 2015 03:25pm

Under his Nose, when Pakistan was being looted on the name of democracy, eCJ never took suo-moto action though he will be remembered for that, to control the decay of the state. Now he is surely come prepared on his master's will, it appears!

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Riztiz

Jan 20, 2015 03:59pm

Where is case against Arsalan vs Malik Riaz gone? Mr Iftikhar you borrowed money to marry your son , How you managed such an expensive house built in Lahore.

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Irfan Baloch

Jan 20, 2015 03:59pm

this shameless sham of a chief justice of taliban spent his time in bullying government officials and taking suo motto actions on trivial matters & things that were beyond the scope of his position and now he will spend his rest of the life in suing and sending liable notices to others

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Thoroughthinker

Jan 20, 2015 04:09pm

Not long ago Imran had decided to fight Altaf Hussain of MQM in London with two truck loads of evidence against him. Then, the truck-load just got deflated and fizzled-out. Now, he is at the receiving end of a similar situation. let us see who fizzles out and how.

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Zafar Bajwa

Jan 20, 2015 05:03pm

No is the time for Ik to fall on the knees of judges again and beg for mercy likwise Mub Luqman.

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aman

Jan 20, 2015 05:28pm

our good for nothing judiciary has nothing to do. They could not solve terrorism cases. Now they should look into petrol crisis whether commissions were taken or not but instead they will highlight not so important issue just to divert attention. A high court judge gets salary of 4.5 lac rupees per month plus benefits like cars, health, house etc and what do they do....PRACTICALLY NOTHING. Looking busy doing nothing.

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khan saheb

Jan 20, 2015 05:35pm

CJ should ask Malik Riaz he has already given 30 crores and will give another 30 Crores, Not IK,

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Ali Imran Shah

Jan 20, 2015 05:40pm

I think Khan is going to be in deep trouble and perhaps going to be more defamed after this

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Ali

Jan 20, 2015 05:43pm

@Zafar Bajwa there are 7000000 cases are pending in all court of country, what they are doing why they are getting salary, which is very lucrative plus accommodation VIP treatment. man come on have some mercy. Mubashir Luqman brought corrupt people in front of the public and who is going to countable? you are the supporter of those corrupt people?

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Ali

Jan 20, 2015 05:47pm

So the only important issue to our judges is contempt if court. This is their priority. They don't see thar children, terrorism, petrol gas water electricity issues, corruption, security law and order nothing. These judges are clearly on Nawaz sharif payroll.

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nasiroski

Jan 20, 2015 05:49pm

How does this help an average Pakistani?? One side a power hungry political leader that hurls accuses without proof, and on the other side a corrupt ex chief justice.

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Awais Ali

Jan 20, 2015 06:08pm

IK is absolutely right about ex-CJ. Iftikhar Ch. has damaged whole judiciary. Why he was addressing RO,s before election 2013 while RO,s were under the control of ECP....?

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adnan

Jan 20, 2015 06:12pm

@A. Mangal shocking to hear such un-democratic frame of mind comments from an educated dawn reader. what on earth could you mean by 'frivolous' ? have you heard of law suits against LIBEL and SLANDER? its law mate. no wonder, since democracy itself is in the minority among people's minds.

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Ash

Jan 20, 2015 06:26pm

I'm Imran's fan and would like him to be PM for his honesty and determination for cleaning the system in Pakistan. However he needs to show statesmanship and stewardship to help the nation get out of crises and not play in the hands of umpires. It's so obvious that he has been used by the umpires as he has nowhere to go. Now he should chalk out a plan independently and work with public as masses are still with him though they had temporary shock at the anticlimax outcome. The wisdom requires him to stay away from such litigations, keep pressure on government for the rigging and corruption, inflation & other economic issues, perform in KPK to set example for his vision of Pakistan especially in terms of governance, expose federal government in case of non-funding and lack of support for province's development, take a firm stand against all the terrorist and tactfully expose people supporting the strategic depth terror outfits without getting into the conflict with institutions and finally stay close to public in their sorrow and painful time. God bless him!!

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responsible

Jan 20, 2015 06:40pm

How can a controversial CJ clear himself. Let's see

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Asif Malik

Jan 20, 2015 06:51pm

@ASH How about Arslan Iftikhar making all those billions during the tenure of his highness Mr. ex- Chief justice ?

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Ali

Jan 20, 2015 06:58pm

iK is a politician and has every tight to question the system. CJ sb u were not present at every poling stattion so stop this now and enjoy retirement

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Imranahmed4330 Noorani

Jan 20, 2015 07:06pm

IK should possess strength honesty and courage to prove his allegations. Instead he is speaking like Raja Riyaz or Rana Sana ullah of Punjab.it is highly regrettable from him.

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Ahmer

Jan 20, 2015 07:07pm

Iftekhar Chuadhry was the worst CJP ever. He harmed Pakistan.

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Imran

Jan 20, 2015 07:10pm

The courts are left with such kind of cases

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Usman

Jan 20, 2015 07:49pm

Now it is a chance for Imran Khan to prove in court. If he don't have prove then he should stop this drama. People are already fed up with other issues like petrol shortage, gas shortage,

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Atif Khan

Jan 20, 2015 07:51pm

Really. Why are they taking such un-important case whereas they are so many more pressing cases in Pakistan today.

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Saima Khan

Jan 20, 2015 08:29pm

Musharaf was correct

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Jan 20, 2015 08:48pm

@TrueMuslim Please do so at the earliest!

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raja - toronto

Jan 20, 2015 08:51pm

IK should stop blaming others without proof , i think his legal team will come up with a new excuse that he does not know real meaning of corruption, so by saying ex CJ was corrupt he does not wanted to defame him . if you remember he personalty apologized in court and said he does not know what is the meaning of "sharamnak" .

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zainab

Jan 20, 2015 08:55pm

@Dr Abdul Majeed Chachar Please visit SK, spend a day with patients, interview them and know for yourself.

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JUSTICE

Jan 20, 2015 09:30pm

This prove our court don't have time tackles old cases, but they reacted quickly to take former chief justice case. No wonder we need Army Courts to provide honest and equal justice for ALL.

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Ghani K

Jan 20, 2015 09:40pm

Rs 20 bn defamation case against IK ! A quantum & clever leap

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optimist

Jan 20, 2015 11:00pm

This is great news for Imran Khan as now the government must allow him to present eveidence for which they must allow him to open any constituency that he desire. A judicial commission report can also determine if ex-CJ has interfered in the elections unconstituentally.

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farooq Siddiqui

Jan 20, 2015 11:50pm

@asgher how?

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abbas

Jan 20, 2015 11:51pm

@khanm was the chief justice famous? Are u for real man he is THE most respected pakistani in the world. I am a law student in UK at the moment and u can't even imagine how the highest rated barristers judges and lawyers talk of chief saab

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MSAlvi

Jan 21, 2015 06:00am

I read the article and the comments. Imran makes statements of corruption against many in government. I believe they are all true. Who can deny the level of corruption in Pakistan. It is true, but may be difficult to prove. Courts themselves, particularly lower courts, are corrupt. Arslan's case is indirect corruption of the CJ.

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Captian

Jan 21, 2015 10:46am

Ex CJ is terrorizing Imran, CJ has to go to Military court.

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