Parvez Elahi arrested again despite getting bail in graft case

LAHORE (HRNW) The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) rearrested PTI President Parvez Elahi from outside a Lahore court moments after he got discharged in the graft case, sources said on Friday.

Sources said the anti-corruption watchdog would shift the PTI leader to Gujranwala directorate as he had been wanted in another case lodged in the city.

Meanwhile, ACE Director General Suhail Zafar Chatha said the department would move the court against the verdict announced by the Lahore court. “The verdict has been announced in contrast to the merit,” he added.

Earlier, the court had ordered the release of the PTI leader if he had not been wanted in any other case. Judicial magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk announced the verdict which was reserved earlier. Mr Elahi was brought to court in an armoured vehicle amid tight security while his family members, including son Rasikh Elahi, were present in the court.

The anti-corruption team has sought 14-day physical remand of the senior politician in order to interrogate him in the case. The judge announced the decision after hearing arguments from both sides.

Speaking to media outside the court, the former Punjab chief minister said he was innocent and a “supporter of Pakistan Army”. In a message to the party workers, he asked them to stand firm and did not lose courage.