LAHORE: In a significant development, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was arrested on Thursday outside his residence, Zahoor Elahi Palace, by a joint operation conducted by the anti-corruption establishment (ACE) and Punjab police. The arrest comes after a series of failed attempts to apprehend him on allegations of corruption.
Confirming the arrest, Punjab’s interim Information Minister, Amir Mir, stated that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had been taken into custody for his alleged involvement in receiving kickbacks related to development projects. Mir added that Elahi would be transferred to the anti-corruption headquarters. The area surrounding his residence had been under tight security for the past few days, said the minister.
Reports suggested that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi initially resisted arrest. However, when the police attempted to break the window of his vehicle, he exited the car. Amir Mir urged for restraint in discussions regarding human rights violations, emphasizing that Elahi was facing corruption charges and would be treated like any other accused individual. It is expected that he will be handled in accordance with standard procedures within the prison system.
Sources indicated that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is facing four cases, including corruption related to development projects and resisting arrest during a previous incident at his Lahore residence. Police had been monitoring his movements for several days before finally detaining him outside his residence in Gulberg. Authorities took prompt action upon receiving information about his whereabouts.
Speculation arose when news of the arrest emerged, as Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had scheduled meetings with political leaders on the same day. The police had been tracking his location for a considerable period, but it remains unknown where he will be transferred next.
However, reports suggested that police personnel have been deployed at Lahore’s anti-corruption directorate, with a possibility of later transporting him to Gujranwala for further legal proceedings.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023