Former Punjab Chief Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was released from Kot Lakhpat Jail on Tuesday after the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted him bail in an illegal recruitment case.
Earlier in the day, Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad presided over the hearing at the LHC. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi counsel, Amir Saeed Rawn, argued for his release, highlighting that the anti-corruption body had delayed filing the case by two years and asserted that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had neither accepted bribes nor been involved in the recruitment process. Rawn also accused the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab of planting fabricated evidence during a raid at Elahi’s residence.
The lawyer representing the anti-corruption body maintained that the case had been filed according to legal procedures and that Elahi was taken into custody on October 25, 2023. After deliberations, the court approved Elahi’s bail application, leading to his release from Kot Lakhpat Jail. Elahi had been transferred to this facility from Adiala Jail just a few days prior.
The case against Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi involved allegations of misusing his powers as the chief minister to recruit a low-ranking officer as his principal secretary in exchange for bribes. Despite the anti-corruption lawyer’s assertions, the LHC’s decision favored Elahi, allowing him to be released from detention.
Upon his release, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude, stating, “Thanks be to God for vindicating me.” He added, “May Allah grant me the strength to persevere.” He extended his thanks to the judges who supported what was right and true, and expressed his appreciation to everyone who prayed for him.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi emphasized the suffering and cruelty endured by the people of Gujarat, declaring that their mandate had been stolen. He stated that there would be no discussions with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain until their mandate was returned and those who were wronged in Gujarat are forgiven. Elahi accused Mohsin Naqvi of playing a key role in his capture and mistreatment. Reaffirming his allegiance to PTI, he stated, “I was with PTI, Imran Khan and will remain so.”
