Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Parvez Elahi found himself back in custody shortly after his release from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) acted swiftly, detaining him over alleged bribery tied to development project contracts.
Upon exiting the prison, Elahi was immediately apprehended by combined forces from the NAB’s Rawalpindi and Lahore units.
While the NAB prosecutors sought a two-day transitory remand from a Rawalpindi court to move him to Lahore, only a single-day remand was granted. The court stipulated that Elahi must appear before the relevant authority in secured custody by the subsequent day. Documents reveal an arrest warrant for Elahi, dated August 11.
Elahi’s defense team has decried the arrest as a political manoeuvre and plans to contest the move in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Tracing back, Elahi was first detained on June 1 over allegations concerning a graft case. This alleged Rs70 million scam pertained to misused development funds in Gujrat. Since then, he has faced multiple instances of release and immediate re-arrest. His last release from Lahore’s Camp Jail saw a subsequent detainment under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance.
Before his latest arrest, a PTI-released video captured Elahi’s words: “If my arrest brings them joy, so be it.”
Case Details
A bribery case connected to Gujrat road contracts is at the heart of the matter. Apart from Elahi, the accused lists his son, Moonis Elahi, Mahr Azmat Hayat, and several others. Accusations suggest kickbacks were given to both Elahis from Azmat, channelled directly and via their accountant, Imtiaz Ali Shah. These actions, deemed corrupt, allegedly led to considerable financial damage to the state as per Section 9(a) of the NAB ordinance of 1999.
