Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was brought before a court in Lahore to face charges in a corruption case. Elahi arrived at the court in an armored vehicle under heavy security, joined by his family members, including his son Rasikh Elahi.
Anti-corruption officials seek a two-week remand further to question the PTI president regarding the corruption allegations. The judge’s decision is pending after listening to the prosecution and defense arguments.
Elahi asserted his innocence and affirmed his support for the Pakistan Army. He urged his party workers to remain steadfast and courageous.
Earlier, anti-corruption officers, with the assistance of the police, apprehended Elahi outside his residence, Zahoor Elahi Palace, on corruption charges, as confirmed by Punjab’s interim information minister Amir Mir. According to Mir, Elahi is accused of accepting kickbacks from development projects.
Mir added that Elahi initially resisted arrest but later complied after police attempted to break his car window. Referring to human rights violation claims, he stressed the charges against Elahi were related to corruption. He further stated that Elahi would be treated in the same manner as any other detainee.
Elahi’s arrest follows the rejection of his bail petition by an anti-corruption court in Lahore over allegations of corruption in development projects. Despite claims by Elahi’s lawyer of chest pain preventing court appearance, the court dismissed the medical certificate as falsified and denied the interim bail and attendance waiver requests.