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.

Read more: Imran withdraws ‘apologetic’ letter to Iftikhar Chaudhry

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.