Pervaiz Elahi walks free from jail after 355 days

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi was released from prison, here on Tuesday.

As per the media reports, Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore administration has confirmed that Pervaiz Elahi has been released from Kotlakhpat jail, after 355 days of detention in graft cases.

After getting released, Pervez Elahi shifted to his residence, Zahoor Elahi Palace in Gujrat.

Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted bail to Elahi in the illegal recruitment case.

Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad presided over the hearing. Elahi’s counsel Amir Saeed Rawn argued that the anti-corruption body filed the case after a delay of two years.

He further stated in the bail plea that the Pervez Elahi had neither accepted money against recruitment nor had any involvement in the recruitment procedure.

Read More: Pervez Elahi granted protective bail in corruption case

Amir Saeed Rawn accused the anti-corruption department of planting fake evidence during the raid at Elahi’s residence.

However, the anti-corruption lawyer informed the court that the case against Elahi was filed in compliance with legal procedures and the former chief minister was taken into custody on October 25, 2023.

Following arguments from both sides, the court approved the bail application.

Pervez Elahi was booked by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab on charges of illegally recruiting a low-ranking officer as his principal secretary by misusing his powers when he was serving as the chief minister and receiving bribe.