ATC extends Parvez Elahi’s judicial remand till Nov 21

Published October 24, 2023
PTI President Parvez Elahi speaks outside anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Oct 24. — Screengrab from video posted by PTI
PTI President Parvez Elahi speaks outside anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Oct 24. — Screengrab from video posted by PTI

A Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court on Tuesday extended PTI President Chaudhry Parvez judicial remand till November 21 in the Judicial Complex attack case.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Elahi said the PML-N would face the repercussions of the 16 months of the previous government in the elections.

He made the remarks when asked to comment on Nawaz’s return. He also said Nawaz should “reprimand” his brother, former premier Shehbaz Sharif, for the inflation — which rose to 27pc in Sept — due to what he said were the PDM government’s failed policies.

“This Nelson Mandela that has arrived should take his brother to task,” he said. “There was an unprecedented rise in prices and people suffered.”

Elahi said people resorted to ending their lives due to staggering inflation, adding that some also lost their jobs while others had pension issues.

He highlighted that gas and electricity prices were also hiked. “They even started beating up teachers (protesting for their rights).”

Hearing

Meanwhile, ATC Rawalpindi extended Elahi’s judicial remand till November 21 in the Judicial Complex attack case.

Duty Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hasan heard the case today as Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain was on leave.

Lawyer Sardar Abdul Razak represented Elahi, who was brought to court under tight security. At the offset of the hearing, the judge remarked saying: “Just like there are caretakers in politics, there are caretakers in judiciary too”.

Judge Hasan added, “Today I am also a caretaker judge”. He then asked Elahi’s lawyer if a date had to be given today. To which advocate Razak replied saying yes.

The judge then extended Elahi’s judicial remand till Nov 21. Copies of the challan will be provided for charge-sheeting at the next hearing.

The court also allowed him to speak to the lawyers in the courtroom.

On Oct 23, a special court (Central-I) had adjourned a money-laundering case against Elahi and his son, former federal minister Moonis Elahi, as the jail officials did not present the former in the court for medical reasons.

On Oct 5, the Supreme Court had taken exception to the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) tendency to grant “blanket bail orders”.

“Grant[ing] of such blanket orders is like issuing a license to commit crimes,” observed Justice Sardar Tariq Masood while heading a three-judge SC bench that had taken up a challenge by Qaisara Elahi – the wife of Elahi.

The LHC on Oct 3 had disposed of a prosecution’s appeal and directed a judicial magistrate to review its decision of discharging the PTI president in a corruption case.

On Sept 26 last month, the LHC’s Rawalpindi bench had disposed of Elahi’s, with the direction to the Punjab home secretary to redress the grievances of the former chief minister of Punjab.

Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan was hearing the petition of Elahi seeking better facilities for himself as per his entitlement.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

JUST how much longer does the government plan on throttling the internet is a question up in the air right now....
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...