The President of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Parvez Elahi, has been re-arrested for the second time in two days in a case related to illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly. This article provides the latest updates on the situation, including the details of the case, the hearing, and the reactions from Parvez Elahi and his lawyer.
2. Background of the Case
The illegal recruitments case against Parvez Elahi alleges that he recruited 12 Grade-17 officers in the Punjab Assembly against merit. It is claimed that he manipulated the results of the candidates from Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has collected evidence to support these allegations and has already arrested Secretary Punjab Assembly Rai Mumtaz Hussain in connection with the case.
3. Parvez Elahi Presented Before Lahore District Court
Parvez Elahi was brought before a Lahore district court by officials of the Anti-Corruption Establishment amid tight security. The court proceedings were overseen by Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk, who is hearing ACE's request for Elahi's physical remand.
4. Allegations of Illegal Recruitments in Punjab Assembly
The case revolves around the allegations of illegal recruitments made by Parvez Elahi in the Punjab Assembly. The recruitments were allegedly done without following the merit-based process, favoring candidates from specific regions. The authorities claim to have gathered evidence to support these allegations, including manipulated results.
5. Evidence against Parvez Elahi
The Anti-Corruption Establishment spokesperson has stated that they have collected substantial evidence against Parvez Elahi, implicating him in the illegal recruitments. The evidence includes documents and testimonies that point to his involvement in manipulating the recruitment process and favoring specific candidates.
6. Lack of Confidence in Judicial Magistrate
During the hearing, the Anti-Corruption Establishment expressed a lack of confidence in Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk. The director general of the establishment, Jam Salahuddin, stated that they had received instructions not to have Virk preside over the case. In response, the judge denied having any social media accounts and mentioned that a campaign was being run against him, although the context of this conversation remains unclear.
7. Attempts to Change the Judge
The Anti-Corruption Establishment official informed the magistrate that they needed time to file a request with a sessions judge to change the judge in this case. It is apparent that the establishment sought a different judge due to their lack of confidence in the current one.
8. Elahi's Lawyer's Response
Parvez Elahi's lawyer argued that the court timings were about to end and threatened to register a case against the Anti-Corruption Establishment director general if Elahi was taken away again that day. In response to the lawyer's argument, the judge suspended the session temporarily upon the request of the Anti-Corruption Establishment director general.
9. Elahi's Support for PTI
Before the hearing, Parvez Elahi spoke to the media and expressed his support for the PTI. He stated that even if multiple cases were registered against him, it would not make a difference. Elahi urged PTI members and supporters to fight against the tactics employed by the authorities with bravery and not to be worried. He affirmed his continued allegiance to the PTI and encouraged others to stand firm and fight against the allegations.
10. Crackdown on PTI Leadership
Parvez Elahi is among several PTI leaders and workers who have been arrested as part of the state's crackdown on the PTI leadership. The crackdown followed the May 9 riots during protests over PTI chief Imran Khan being taken into custody by the Rangers at the Islamabad High Court premises. Other prominent PTI leaders who are currently under arrest include Shah Mahmoud Qureshi, Ali Muhammad Khan, Yasmin Rashid, Mehmoodur Rasheed, and more.
11. Previous Arrests and Discharges
Parvez Elahi was initially arrested by ACE officials from his residence on June 1 in a corruption case. However, the court discharged him after deeming the charges against him not "well-founded." Shortly after his discharge, he was arrested again on two cases registered in Gujranwala, accusing him of causing a loss of Rs100 million to the national exchequer and receiving kickbacks during his time as Punjab chief executive.
12. Arrest for "Illegal Recruitments"
On Saturday, Parvez Elahi was produced before Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Afzal's court in Gujranwala. After hearing arguments from both the ACE and Elahi's lawyers, the court discharged him in both cases and ordered his immediate release if he was not required in any other case. However, he was once again arrested, this time in connection with the alleged illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly.
13. ACE's Response to Discharges
ACE Director General Sohail Zafar Chattha explained that Parvez Elahi had been discharged in two corruption cases on "technical grounds" by the judicial magistrate in Gujranwala, who stated that there was no mechanism to arrest a chief minister. Chattha emphasized that the ACE had followed all legal formalities and that they would file an appeal against the judgment to discharge Elahi, as they believe there is strong evidence of corruption against him.
The re-arrest of PTI President Parvez Elahi in the case of illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly has raised further concerns about corruption in the political sphere. The ongoing legal proceedings and the allegations against Elahi will determine the course of his future involvement in politics. The PTI and its supporters remain steadfast in their support for Elahi, calling for resilience and resistance against what they perceive as politically motivated tactics.
