LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday granted bail to former principal secretary to the chief minister Muhammad Khan Bhatti in a case of alleged illegal appointments made in the Punjab Assembly.

Justice Sultan Tanvir announced a reserved verdict and allowed the bail petition of Mr Bhatti. However, he is unlikely to be released from jail due to other cases registered against him.

The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) had registered the case against former chief minister Parvez Elahi, his then principal secretary Bhatti and other suspects.

The ACE alleged that illegal appointments against BS-17 posts were made in the provincial assembly when Mr Elahi was the chief minister and Mr Bhatti was his principal secretary.

It said favourite candidates were appointed despite being declared failed in the written examination.

Mr Elahi has already been granted bail in the case.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2024