On Sunday, former Chief Minister Parvez Elahi was placed under a 14-day judicial remand by an anti-corruption court, facing charges related to unlawful recruitment within the Punjab Assembly.
The Anti-Corruption Establishment in Gujranwala re-arrested Mr. Elahi after a judicial magistrate’s discharge from two corruption cases on Saturday. Elahi was transported in an armored vehicle and presented before a district judge in Lahore. The Anti-Corruption Establishment argued for a 14-day physical remand, alleging that Mr. Elahi had taken a bribe of Rs15 million as Punjab Assembly Speaker to approve appointments that violated meritocratic standards for grade-17 posts.
Read: PTI President Parvez Elahi Faces Anti-Corruption Court: The Cases Unveiled
The prosecution alleges that Mr. Elahi holds forged interview result documents for the candidates and that his mobile phone is necessary for forensic examination. However, Judge Murtaza Virk noted the absence of action against the beneficiaries of the alleged false appointments, and the original complainant, Usman Ghani, had only approached the Anti-Corruption Establishment and no other entity about the supposed forgery after two years. Furthermore, the questionable appointments occurred on August 9, 2021, while Elahi was the Assembly Speaker.
At the beginning of the hearing, an Anti-Corruption Establishment official expressed distrust towards the presiding judge and requested him not to adjudicate the case. The judge reportedly declined, asserting that the agency could contest his decision if dissatisfied.
ACE Director-General Sohail Zafar Chattha vowed to challenge the court’s decision, stating they possess compelling evidence linking Elahi to twelve unlawful appointments via false result sheets. Mr. Chattha claimed some candidates who scored high marks on written evaluations deliberately failed in interviews to favor predetermined appointees. He asserted that the ACE would contest verdicts by judges in Lahore and Gujranwala against the former Chief Minister.
While addressing the media, Mr. Elahi hinted at a hidden hand behind the charges, assuring his supporters of his alliance with the armed forces and distancing himself from those opposing them. He invited to dialogue on progressing the country and advised PTI party workers to resist the government’s maneuvers steadfastly. The former Chief Minister claimed mistreatment in custody, including denial of necessary medication and sleep, but vowed to remain unyielding even if faced with a multitude of charges.
