Punjab ACE Claims recovery of Rs 4.1 million from Parvez Elahi’s residence

Lahore: The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has reported an alleged recovery of Rs 4.1 million from the residence of PTI President Parvez Elahi. The discovery was made in connection with a case related to illegal appointments within the Punjab Assembly. The revelation emerged during proceedings at a Lahore district and sessions court.

Parvez Elahi’s legal counsel, Advocate Amir Saeed Rawn, swiftly contested the claim, dismissing it as a “bogus recovery.” This development follows Elahi’s recent arrest by the Punjab ACE on charges related to the appointment of Muhammad Khan Bhatti as his principal secretary during his tenure as chief minister, with allegations that Bhatti’s appointment did not comply with the law.

This arrest marks one of more than a dozen instances in which the PTI president has been detained in various cases since June, following a widespread crackdown on the party in the aftermath of the May 9 violence.

On September 1, after his release by the Lahore High Court and the issuance of a restraining order against potential arrest or preventive detention, Islamabad police re-arrested Parvez Elahi under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance near his residence.

Elahi was presented before Judicial Magistrate Imran Abid’s court, where ACE’s investigating officer, Muhammad Sibtain, claimed that Elahi had been taken to his residence on Zahoor Elahi Road. It was there, according to Sibtain, that an amount of Rs 4.1 million was allegedly discovered in Elahi’s bedroom, located adjacent to a garage on the left side. The officer emphasized that the recovery was made in Elahi’s presence and with his confirmation during the search at his house.

Parvez Elahi vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that he had been in jail throughout the night and had not been transported anywhere. He stated, “I was asleep, and I have no knowledge of where they supposedly found the money.” Elahi contended that the raiding officers had ulterior motives and were attempting to secure their own positions.

The magistrate then questioned the investigating officer regarding Elahi’s denial of being taken anywhere, to which the officer responded that such claims were typical from suspects. He emphasized that Elahi had, indeed, been taken to his residence, as evidenced by the alleged money recovery.

Following the arguments, the court granted a two-day extension to Elahi’s physical remand and directed the authorities to ensure the PTI leader’s appearance before the court on Monday.