Lahore, 17 July, 2023 (GNP): In a recent development, Parvez Elahi, President of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Chief Minister of Punjab has been ordered to be detained for 30 days at Lahore’s Camp Jail under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
The order issued by Lahore deputy commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider comes in response to a written request by Lahore police citing three cases related to disturbing the peace.
Parvez Elahi was initially arrested on 1 June in connection with a corruption case but was released the following day. Subsequently, he was arrested in another case.
On Saturday, a banking crimes court ordered his release in a money laundering case; however, he remains detained as a new case was registered against him at the Ghalib Market police station under terrorism provisions, the police said.
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The detention order issued by Lahore DC Rafia Haider, dated July 16 highlights concerns raised by the Lahore police, stating that Parvez Elahi is considered an “active member and firebrand speaker” of the PTI, with the potential to disrupt public peace, provoke people to take the law into their own hands, and cause unrest and disturbance.
The order also cites credible information indicating the potential for Elahi to worsen the law and order along with his accomplices, which can end up in replicating the May 9 mayhem.
The detention order lists the first information reports filed against Parvez Elahi and termed him as a “criminal record holder,” noting the investigation’s findings of acts of resistance, arson, and terrorist attacks on law enforcement agencies allegedly perpetrated by him and his accomplices.
Lahore DC Rafia Haider, in the order, expresses her conviction that Parvez Elahi’s presence in any public space poses a grave threat to public safety, public peace, and public order.
Consequently, Parvez Elahi has been ordered to be arrested and detained for a period of 30 days at Lahore’s Camp Jail, as per the direction of the Lahore DC.
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Parvez Elahi, along with several PTI leaders and workers, have been arrested amid the state’s crackdown on the PTI leadership following the May 9 riots during protests at the Islamabad High Court.
Elahi was initially arrested on 1 June by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on allegations of kickbacks in development projects. Although he was discharged by a Lahore court the next day, he was rearrested by the ACE in a similar case registered in its Gujranwala region. However, he was discharged again in two corruption cases related to fund embezzlement.
Despite being discharged, Elahi was rearrested by the ACE for illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) also initiated an inquiry against him for alleged embezzlement in development projects. Various court decisions and proceedings have led to Elahi’s continued detention on multiple charges, including money laundering.