A Lahore sessions court has summoned Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s defamation suit against the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The case was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Yilmaz Ghani. At the outset, the PTI founder’s counsel sought time for cross-examination, informing the court that lead lawyer Muhammad Hussain would arrive shortly. The court granted the request.
When proceedings resumed, Muhammad Hussain began cross-examination of Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who recorded his statement under oath.
During the cross-examination, the defence argued that the submitted documents were neither in their favour nor against them and did not bear their client’s signatures. Responding to the objection, Tarar maintained that the documents were certified public records that substantiated the defamation claim.
The defence also contested the authenticity of newspaper clippings and other materials, insisting they were neither issued by their client nor written against him. Tarar reiterated that all documents formed part of the official public record.
When questioned about a USB submitted as evidence, Tarar said he had personally purchased it from Lahore’s Hafeez Center and that the data it contained had been sourced from mainstream media. Asked about his political affiliation, Tarar stated that his testimony was based on facts rather than politics.
After no further questions were raised, the court concluded the cross-examination and recorded Tarar’s signatures on the relevant documents. The court then summoned Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan and adjourned further proceedings until November 29.
