LAHORE: A special court on Thursday summoned PTI President Parvez Elahi and his son former federal minister Moonis Elahi in a money laundering case.

Judge Abdul Sattar Langah directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the superintendent of Adiala jail, Rawalpindi, to produce Mr Elahi on Oct 23.

While submitting his power of attorney on behalf of Moonis Elahi, a lawyer told the court that his client was out of the country. He urged the court to allow the ex-minister to attend the proceedings through a representative.

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However, the judge turned down the request and observed that a suspect was supposed to appear before the court in person in a criminal case.

LHC reserves verdict on appeal against PTI leader’s release in master plan case

The judge directed the lawyer to ensure the appearance of his client on Oct 23 and issued non-bailable warrant for a co-suspect, Amir Sohail.

The court has already issued bailable arrest warrant for Mr Moonis.

The FIA had earlier told the court that reports regarding the service of summons to the suspect on his addresses in the United Kingdom and Spain had been received through the ministry of foreign affairs. According to these reports, nobody was available on those addresses in Spain and the UK.

After going through the reports, the judge had issued bailable arrest warrant for Moonis Elahi.

The FIA registered three cases of money laundering against Mr Moonis and his family after he left the country. His father Parvez Elahi is on judicial remand in multiple cases registered against him.

Judgement reserved

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court reserved its verdict on a prosecution appeal challenging the decision of a judicial magistrate exonerating Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in a corruption case belonging to the Lahore Master Plan-2050.

Additional Prosecutor General Abdul Samad argued that Mr Elahi was nominated in the FIR because he being the chief minister had unlawfully approved the master plan. He stated that the suspect had altered the master plan only to benefit blue-eyed property developers.

He said the magistrate had no mandate to discharge the suspect at the stage of investigation. He urged the court to set aside the impugned decision of the magistrate and allow physical custody of Mr Elahi to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

After hearing the arguments, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi reserved the verdict on the maintainability of the prosecution’s appeal.

On Sept 17, a judicial magistrate had discharged Mr Elahi in the master plan case when the ACE produced him for physical remand.

The magistrate observed the prosecution had admitted that no wrongful loss had been caused by the suspect to any company, institution or department of government, including the LDA.

He noted that the case was based on the statements of the director of master plan, and chief metropolitan planner, who had not been treated as suspects.

The magistrate said it was surprising that those who misused their authority and modified the master plan, as mentioned in the FIR, were enjoying liberty, but Mr Elahi, who had no direct role, was in custody.

Since June 1, Mr Elahi has been arrested in multiple cases lodged by the ACE, Punjab police and the National Accountability Bureau.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023