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LAHORE, Nov 04 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday said that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had leveled false and fabricated allegations against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Talking to the media after recording his statement as a witness in the Rs 10 billion defamation suit filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif against the PTI founder, Tarar said that all evidence has been presented before the court and significant progress has been made in the case. “We are hopeful that justice will be served,” he stated.
Tarar said the defamation suit was filed in July 2017, but the PTI founder’s legal team has sought adjournments 120 times. “Even today, their lawyer was not present in court. They have neither any evidence nor any argument left to offer,” he remarked.
Highlighting Shehbaz Sharif’s political career, the minister said the Prime Minister’s decades-long public service and commitment to national development are recognized by all. “He has been a member of both the National and Provincial Assemblies since 1988, served three terms as Chief Minister of Punjab, and twice as Prime Minister. His entire life has been dedicated to serving the nation,” he said.
“The PTI founder, on the other hand, has built his politics on falsehood and slander. After 120 adjournments, he stands exposed as a politician of deceit and hypocrisy. He will, God willing, face humiliation and defeat in court,” Tarar said.
The minister also referred to a “foreign individual” — recently declared false by a London court — who was part of the same campaign to malign Shehbaz Sharif, and state institutions. “That same man later gave a platform to terrorist Ehsanullah Ehsan on social media — a disgraceful act no civilized society would tolerate,” he added.
Regarding local government elections, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to the local governance system, saying that elections should be held on time. He recalled that in the past, vice chairmen had protested for their rights, and the government amended laws to address their concerns.
On the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, Tarar said consultations are underway to strengthen the institutional structure of the judiciary.
Responding to questions about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Tarar said that the law is equal for everyone—no person’s trial can be halted because of their position. Whether a chief minister or an ordinary citizen, legal proceedings will take their course.”
Earlier, during the hearing at the Lahore Sessions Court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Yalmaz Ghani, Tarar appeared as a witness and recorded his statement under oath. The PTI founder’s assistant counsel had requested an adjournment, citing the absence of senior lawyer Muhammad Hussain, but the court rejected the request, saying cross-examination could be conducted later.
In his testimony, Tarar stated that Shehbaz Sharif belongs to a respected political family known for its service to the nation. He presented details of the Prime Minister’s electoral victories and official positions, along with video clips and newspaper clippings as evidence of the false allegations made by the PTI founder in a TV interview on April 8, 2017, where he accused Shehbaz Sharif of offering Rs 10 billion to withdraw the Panama case.
Tarar said the baseless allegations were later repeated in multiple television programs, rallies, and public gatherings, damaging Shehbaz Sharif’s reputation nationally and internationally.
The court admitted the evidence into record despite objections from the defence, and allowed additional documents to be submitted with the testimonies of other witnesses. After recording Tarar’s statement, the court summoned him for cross-examination on the next date of hearing and adjourned further proceedings till November 15.