LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday set aside an order of a justice of peace about registration of a case against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s son, Suleman Shehbaz, in a cheque dishonour matter.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum allowed a petition filed by Suleman challenging the order of lodging an FIR against him.

During the hearing, the complainant’s counsel sought more time to prepare his arguments.

However, the chief justice wondered what further preparation was needed as the counsel had already presented his arguments before the justice of peace/additional district & sessions judge.

The petitioner’s counsel pointed out that the police report was not available on the record and that the original application seeking FIR registration did not even mention his client as a defendant.

The counsel further informed the court that the case pertained to five stolen cheques of the company, for which an FIR had already been registered.

The petition stated that Suleman was the CEO of Sharif Dairy Production, but the justice of peace ordered the registration of a cheque dishonour case contrary to facts.

It pointed out that the complaint was filed by one Qateel Anwarul Hassan, who claimed to have sold laptops to the dairy company and upon cheque dishonor sought registration of a case.

The petition said the company had not purchased any laptops from the complainant, but the company’s employee, Muhammad Raza, had personally bought 11 laptops worth Rs1.166 million.

It said the complainant had deliberately concealed facts to get the FIR registered in his favour.

The CJ had already suspended the impugned order on July 16.

Published in Dawn, Aug 1st, 2025