Lahore, Pakistan – In a shocking turn of events, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former federal minister, was reportedly “abducted” just hours after his release in a graft case. This incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the rule of law in Pakistan.
Moonis Elahi, the son of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, took to social media to express his distress over the incident. He claimed that after a court order for his father’s release, police and court security were escorting him home. However, as their vehicle entered their street, it was suddenly stopped, and Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was allegedly abducted. Moonis Elahi’s social media post also questioned the credibility of the courts, suggesting that they were being ridiculed.
Video footage broadcast on television channels showed plainclothes individuals, accompanied by uniformed Punjab policemen, forcibly removing Chaudhry Parvez Elahi from his vehicle. The presence of lawyer Latif Khosa in the vehicle added a layer of complexity to the situation.
As of now, the police have not commented on the incident, and it remains unclear who currently has custody of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi.
This incident occurred shortly after the Lahore High Court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release Elahi and prohibited authorities from arresting him in any other case. The PTI president had been arrested earlier in connection with the May 9 riots during protests following the controversial detention of PTI chief Imran Khan.
Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s legal journey has been marked by a series of arrests and releases. He was first arrested on June 1 on allegations of receiving bribes and kickbacks related to road schemes. Subsequent rearrests and legal proceedings followed, with various charges against him.
During the recent court hearing, the NAB prosecutor had cited threats to Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s life as a reason for not presenting him in court. However, the court insisted on his immediate presentation, leading to his release and the prohibition of further arrests in any case.
After his release, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi blamed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the economic challenges facing the country. He expressed his frustration over being kept in detention and disconnected from the country’s affairs.
The timeline of arrests and rearrests in Elahi’s case highlights the complex legal landscape in Pakistan. Despite repeated legal proceedings, his release underscores the importance of upholding due process and ensuring the safety of individuals involved in legal cases.
Read more: LHC Orders Release of PTI President Parvez Elahi in Corruption Case
This incident has ignited concerns about the rule of law, the safety of public figures, and the functioning of Pakistan’s legal system. It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to this alarming turn of events and what actions will be taken to address the questions surrounding Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s detention and release.
