Islamabad, September 6, 2023 – An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has granted a two-day physical remand for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. This decision comes in connection with a case related to an attack on the Judicial Complex in Islamabad.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police took Elahi into custody following the ATC’s announcement of the reserved verdict.
During the ATC proceedings today, Elahi’s lawyer, Ali Bukhari, raised concerns about the absence of specific details regarding the need for interrogation in the police’s request for physical remand. He questioned the actions of the investigating officer during the initial 24 hours of custody, emphasizing that there appeared to be no substantial grounds for a probe against Parvez Elahi.
Bukhari also pointed out that he had previously represented former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the same case, and Qureshi’s bail had been confirmed. He argued that there was no necessity for an identification parade as Parvez Elahi’s identity was widely known throughout the country.
The prosecutor, however, asserted that Elahi’s presence was required by the Islamabad police in a case filed back in March. The informant had allegedly implicated Elahi in the attack on the judicial complex, and the prosecutor argued that a physical remand was necessary to collect evidence.
In response to the arrest, Elahi’s counsel filed a contempt of court petition against his client’s detention in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
It is worth noting that Chaudhry Parvez Elahi had been previously released by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police following an order from the IHC, which had suspended his detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO). However, he was rearrested by the Islamabad police in connection with the attack on the Judicial Complex on March 18.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) also issued a contempt of court notice to Islamabad’s chief commissioner for failing to present PTI President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi before the court as per the high court’s orders.
During the LHC hearing, Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf expressed displeasure at the lack of compliance with the court’s orders and questioned why the court’s directives were ignored.
Elahi’s lawyer noted that the court’s orders had not been followed, to which the court responded that the issue of disregarding court orders was a separate matter. The LHC emphasized that despite its order, the Islamabad police had arrested Elahi and transferred him to Attock Jail.
Read more: PTI President Parvez Elahi Rearrested by CTD Shortly After Release
The LHC questioned the advocate general of Islamabad about the court order and pointed out that Elahi’s presence in court should not be a matter of ego for anyone. Consequently, the LHC issued a contempt of court notice to the Islamabad chief commissioner, directing a response to be submitted within seven days.
Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s legal situation continues to be a topic of legal and public interest, with the courts closely monitoring the developments in his case.
