In a recent development, the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has extended the judicial remand of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, the President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), until November 21. This decision pertains to the Judicial Complex attack case.
Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, also a prominent political figure in Pakistan, made some significant remarks outside the courtroom. He asserted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would bear the consequences of the previous government’s 16-month tenure in the upcoming elections.
Elahi’s comments were in response to questions about Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan, where he suggested that Nawaz should “reprimand” his brother, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for the soaring inflation, which reached 27% in September. Elahi attributed this economic challenge to the policies of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, branding the situation as “unprecedented” and one that inflicted hardship on the public.
Highlighting the severity of the inflation, Elahi pointed out that it led some people to resort to extreme measures, while others grappled with job losses and pension issues. He further drew attention to the rising costs of gas and electricity and even mentioned incidents of violence against protesting teachers.
Meanwhile, the ATC extended Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s judicial remand until November 21, with Duty Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hasan presiding over the case in the absence of Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain. Elahi, brought to the court under tight security, was represented by lawyer Sardar Abdul Razak.
During the proceedings, Judge Hasan humorously referred to himself as a “caretaker judge” and subsequently extended Elahi’s judicial remand. The next hearing will involve providing copies of the challan for charge-sheeting.
This development is part of a broader legal context involving the PTI President. Notably, a money-laundering case was adjourned due to Elahi’s unavailability on medical grounds. The Supreme Court had earlier expressed concern over what it saw as the Lahore High Court’s tendency to issue “blanket bail orders,” cautioning against granting such orders.
The Lahore High Court had previously directed a judicial magistrate to review its decision regarding discharging Elahi in a corruption case. The court had also instructed the Punjab home secretary to address Elahi’s concerns about his entitlements. These legal developments underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s legal situation.
