ISLAMABAD: Setting aside an order of the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ), the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan to record his response in a Rs10-billion defamation suit he filed against PML-N leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif in 2012.

Imran Khan had filed a defamation suit against Khawaja Asif in 2012 for recovery of Rs10-billion after Khawaja Asif had spoken to a news conference and levelled allegations about misappropriation of huge money laundering by Imran Khan through the funds of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT).

Later, in December 2021, the premier get his statement recorded through video link with ADSJ Muhammad Adnan, in which he stated that he was the biggest individual donor of the SKMT from 1991 to 2009.

He stated that the investments, against which allegations had been made, were fully recovered by the SKMT without any loss. The ADSJ announced an ex-parti decision and ruled to abolish Khawaja Asif’s (defendant’s) right to conduct cross examination of Imran Khan’s statement.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Asif filed an appeal in the IHC challenging the ADSJ ruling. The IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Tuesday, issued notice to the premier to record his statement and adjourned the hearing of Khawaja Asif’s plea till January 12. The court also restricted the ADSJ from further proceeding in the defamation case.