LAHORE: Former chief minister Parvez Elahi on Wednesday appeared before three different trial courts after a prolonged absence following last warnings to attend the proceedings against him in as many cases of alleged corruption.

However, indictment in a case of Punjab Assembly illegal appointments could not be conducted by the anti-corruption court due to the absence of a co-suspect.

Mr Elahi came to the rostrum and addressed the judge, saying he appeared in court at the age of 80.

Judge Sardar Iqbal Dogar informed Mr Elahi that once the indictment process is complete, the trial will continue even if he does not appear.

However, a prosecutor insisted that the accused must appear on every date of the hearing.

A defence lawyer argued that the accused, at the age of 80, was appearing before the court. He said the prosecution should simply perform its legal duties and not serve others.

The lawyer told the court that former principal secretary to chief minister Muhammad Khan Bhatti, a co-suspect, could not appear due to a scheduled medical test for surgery at a hospital.

The defence requested the court to allow an adjournment.

The judge allowed the request and directed the suspects to appear for the indictment on Jan 8.

Later, Mr Elahi appeared before a special court (central-I) for the hearing of a money laundering case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against him and his family.

The defence lawyer filed an application for the acquittal of Mr Elahi, asking the court to decide it before the indictment.

Judge Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh issued a notice to the FIA for submission of its reply to the acquittal plea.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Jan 20.

The FIA registered the case of alleged money laundering against former federal minister Moonis Elahi and his family after he left the country. Moonis has already been declared a proclaimed offender in the case.

Separately, an accountability court rejected a request to postpone proceedings on the reference against PTI President Parvez Elahi and others until after the winter holidays and summoned all suspects for indictment in two days.

Judge Zubair Shehzad Kayani heard the reference regarding kickbacks in development projects launched in Gujrat division.

Mr Elahi appeared in the court, however, co-suspect Muhammad Khan Bhatti was absent due to being hospitalised.

The lawyers for Elahi and Bhatti requested the court to adjourn the hearing until after the winter vacation.

However, the judge rejected the request, observing that the reference was filed in 2023 and the court intended to proceed with the indictment this year, rather than delaying it to 2025.

The judge directed the defence to ensure the appearance of Khan Bhatti on the next hearing to allow the indictment to proceed.

He noted that the delay in indictment had already stalled the trial proceedings.

The judge will resume hearing on Jan 20.

The indictment of Mr Elahi in these cases has been delayed by the courts for several months due to his continuous absence in the trial hearings on medical grounds before and after his release on bail as well.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2024