ISLAMABAD: Parvez Elahi, the President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is facing yet another legal entanglement as he is set to be transported to Lahore by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab. This move follows the approval of ACE Punjab’s request for his transitory remand.
Initially, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) had ordered his detention in judicial remand in connection with the attack on the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC). Subsequently, ACE Punjab intervened, seeking his remand in a new case filed in Lahore. This new case accuses him of misusing his authority and position to make changes in the provincial bureaucracy.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Parvez Elahi is facing charges under section 5/2(d)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) for allegedly abusing his power when he was the Chief Minister of Punjab. He is accused of transferring Muhammad Khan Bhatti, an employee in a special department of the Punjab Assembly, to the position of principal secretary.
ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain approved ACE Punjab’s request for a one-day transitory remand for Parvez Elahi after considering arguments presented by the anti-graft department. During these proceedings, Parvez Elahi’s lawyer, Sardar Abdul Razzaq, argued that the Chief Minister had the authority to appoint his own chief secretary and staff, questioning the need for the case. He also revealed that this case was filed just a day prior.
The defense maintained that their client had been targeted for political reasons since January and had been repeatedly arrested and moved from one city to another. Parvez Elahi, present in the courtroom, expressed his frustration about the constant transfers, mentioning that he had been brought back to Lahore from Islamabad the previous day.
Regarding the non-payment of surety bonds, the judge reminded both Parvez Elahi and his lawyer of the pending issue. Parvez Elahi’s lawyer clarified that the bail bonds were scheduled to be submitted on that day.
Furthermore, Parvez Elahi voiced his concern about not being able to meet with his family during his period of arrest and requested that an order be issued to allow such a meeting.
