ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions judge (DSJ) on Saturday imposed Rs500 fine on Babar Awan for not submitting reply on an application filed by the former chief justice (CJ) Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

In the application, former CJP objected that Mr Awan could not represent Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan because he holds “certain preconceived notions and personal bias against him due to certain judicial orders”.

The PTI chief was facing Rs20 billion defamation suit filed by the former CJ.

The court in February 2015 had sought reply from Babar Awan. On May 19, the court had given final opportunity to Awan to submit reply on the objections raised by former CJP Chaudhry.

On Saturday, when the case was called, a lawyer appeared on behalf of Awan and said the court order was not clear therefore the reply could not be submitted.

DSJ Tanvir Mir observed that if there was any confusion in the order it could have been challenged before the appropriate forum.

He imposed a fine of Rs500 on Awan and adjourned the matter till June 13.

The former CJ filed the defamation suit against the PTI chief for allegedly involving him in rigging in May 2013 general elections.