Islamabad, Jan 4 (Agency) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking termination of his right of cross-examination in a Rs 10 billion compensation case against Pakistan Muslim League-N’s (PML-N) Khawaja Asif. According to The Express Tribune report, the IHC heard Asif’s petition against the sessions court’s decision to remove the right of cross-examination on the prime minister’s statement. The court also restrained the trial court from proceeding with the hearing. The PML-N leader’s lawyer claimed that the trial court judge removed the right of cross-examination on PM Imran’s statement, adding that the case dates to 2012 and questions were framed in 2021.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah presided over the hearing for the petition today. The IHC sought a reply from the PM and adjourned the hearing till January 12. In 2012, Imran Khan had filed the defamation suit against Asif for recovery of Rs10 billion as the latter had at a press conference leveled allegations about misappropriation of and money laundering through the SKMT funds, the Dawn reported. Last month, Khan appeared before a district and sessions court via video link from his office to record his statement. The legality of the statement was challenged by the PML-N leader in the IHC on Monday, arguing that the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) had unilaterally closed his right of the prime minister’s cross-examination.