Shahbaz Sharif files Rs10bn defamation suit against Imran Khan over bribe allegation

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has filed a Rs10 billion defamation lawsuit against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman (PTI) Imran Khan for alleging that he was offered a Rs10bn bribe by a close associate of the chief minister to drop the Panama Papers case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Filed in the court of Lahore additional sessions judge Azfar Sultan under sections 4 and 9 of the Defamation Ordinance 2002, the lawsuit states that the PTI chief had claimed in ARY News programme "Off the Record" on April 26 that the Rs10bn bribe offer was made to him through a person related to Shahbaz, on behalf of the chief minister and his family.

Khan's allegation "tended to lower the [Punjab chief minister] in the estimation of others and reduce him to ridicule, unjust criticism, dislike ... and causing him extreme mental torture", the suit states.

According to the lawsuit, the PTI chief had failed to tender a publicly broadcast apology even though he was served a legal notice in May calling for an apology for allegedly defaming the chief minister within 14 days.

As a result of Khan's "false and defamatory allegations", Shahbaz is entitled to a compensation of Rs10bn, it says.

The court has sought a response from Khan over the defamation suit by July 21.

Imran Khan responds

Responding to the defamation suit, Imran Khan said that he does not own Rs10b, and will ask Shahbaz Sharif's sons Salman and Hamza for a loan since "all the children in Sharif family have somehow become billionaires". He was speaking in Nathia Gali on the occasion of multiple political workers joining PTI.

"Defamation suits are filed when someone's reputation is tainted. How can your reputation be tainted when you do not have one?" Khan asked, repeating his accusations of corruption. "I am waiting for you to take me to court so I can tell the world who you really are."

In the events following the Panama Papers case verdict, the PTI chief, while addressing a gathering, had alleged that a mutual acquaintance of his and Shahbaz Sharif's offered him the exorbitant sum of Rs10bn on the condition that he drop the money laundering case against the Sharif family.

Despite stirring up a hornet's nest, Khan has yet to reveal the identity of the individual who offered the bribe, although he has insisted that the person lives in Lahore and that he will reveal his identity in court.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Shahbaz Sharif demands public apology from Imran Khan for Rs10bn bribe allegations

The Rs10 billion question

Imran’s bribery allegation stirs up a hornet’s nest

Falcon1

Jul 07, 2017 01:36pm

So that's what your reputation is worth, Rs. 10 Billion or mere $50 million? Some things are invaluable,. Some are just too cheap to be attached a number to. If I was in your shoes, I will sue for $1 Trillion - If I had done nothing nefarious and have a spotless record. Say no more!

Recommend 0

Nomi Goraya

Jul 07, 2017 01:36pm

This issue must be addressed for good in Pakistan as now in Pakistan you can accuse any person for anything without any proof and then say that it is for accused to prove his innocence. This is grave social issue and there must be very strict action against those who failed to prove their accusation

Recommend 0

ABE

Jul 07, 2017 01:40pm

Just Rs. 10 Billion? This alone tells you how much someone's reputation is worth!??

Recommend 0

Sab se pehle pakistan

Jul 07, 2017 01:48pm

Corrupt PML-N is fast becoming a laughing stock infront of the public.

Recommend 0

naim

Jul 07, 2017 01:52pm

Bring out Sharif families all speeches and see how much they have lied to Pakistanis. Pakistanis should sue them and that would be 1000000000billions. Look at how Pakistanis have become poor under Shariff family rule.

Recommend 0

Hasnain Haque

Jul 07, 2017 01:59pm

oh dear, yet another notice to distract people from the real issues.

Recommend 0

SAUMYA

Jul 07, 2017 02:02pm

Tussle between Pakistan's prominent political leaders is not a good sign for the stability and development of South Asia.

Recommend 0

Jul 07, 2017 02:06pm

complete waste of time from our politicans. courts should beg these to do their job rather than wasting court times. IK says hundred of things in a day and then forget about them. If he was not telling lies he should appear in court with evidence to prove bribe was being offered. why wasting time when you cant prove it.

Recommend 0

Tariq

Jul 07, 2017 02:12pm

What about a person who openly claim some thing and did not achieve it can be liable for any law.

Recommend 0

Haal

Jul 07, 2017 02:49pm

Now let's see if Imran khan faces this or runs away as usual.

Recommend 0

Mohammed

Jul 07, 2017 03:34pm

@Haal IK is the only honest politician in PK and he has made the N cry. We love you IK, you are our only hope.

Recommend 0

Pakistan zindabad

Jul 07, 2017 03:43pm

Imran is a very honest man. So failed Shariff's stop this dumb game

Recommend 0

Asad

Jul 07, 2017 04:03pm

Aren't you getting enough money by looting Pakistan? Yet demanding 10bn from IK

Recommend 0

Observer

Jul 07, 2017 04:34pm

If it is true Mr Khan should publicly declare it even without going to court. What is holding him back? This is no kidding. Our courts are already flooded with cases.

Recommend 0

Riz

Jul 07, 2017 04:35pm

@SAUMYA so they should go scot free then?

Recommend 0

Riz

Jul 07, 2017 04:40pm

Imran khan never level an allegation without an evidence. Now imran is beating Pml men with their own stick.

Recommend 0

nazir ahmed

Jul 07, 2017 04:53pm

Yes. I wish Chief Minister should not give up this case until his bowing. How day he blame any body without material evidence. Until now all his allegations have been proved baseless. In fact he should have not been in the politics. Some forces inducted him and he has worsened the political environment in the country. I wish him out in the 2018 elections

Recommend 0

WARRIs

Jul 07, 2017 05:17pm

Well done Showbaaz Sharif, keep the pressure!!

Recommend 0

SAli5

Jul 07, 2017 05:21pm

He has a right to sue IK. He needs to come up with proof. IK did say thathat they should bring me to court and I will disclose the person Identity

Recommend 0

Sailor

Jul 07, 2017 05:32pm

@naim Spot on Bro, that should be the spirit

Recommend 0

Dr. Ali Canada

Jul 07, 2017 06:04pm

@Sab se pehle pakistan Actually and realistically it is opposite, PTI is becoming laughing stock instead. IK has lost his dignity and respect than anyone in Pakistan Politics. 2018 election will show him the mirror.

Recommend 0

Qaiser

Jul 07, 2017 06:42pm

@Falcon1 so you are saying shehbaz is guilty because he did not sue for $1 Trillion?? you PTI people just keep on inventing logics which only make sense to you.

Recommend 0

W Shaikh

Jul 07, 2017 06:52pm

I think Imran Khan is evading the question. IK should face the consequences if he is lying. This will clear both sides. Shahbaz Sharif will loose if he did it or Imran will loose it if he lied about this matter. Let's hope justice is well served.

Recommend 0

Imtiaz Ali Khan

Jul 08, 2017 08:33am

@Sab se pehle pakistan Well said.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Indus Cloud signs strategic partnership agreement with PTCL to deliver cloud excellence

The partnership marks a significant step in Indus Cloud’s and PTCL’s joint efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s cloud and data centre infrastructure and expand access to enterprise-grade digital services in the country.