LAHORE; An FIA special court in Lahore on Friday accepted an exemption plea for former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in a money laundering case, while rebuking the agency for failing to submit the challan.
The money laundering case came up for hearing before the FIA’s central judge. During proceedings, Elahi’s counsel, Amir Saeed Ran, filed an application seeking exemption from personal appearance, citing his client’s ill health. The court accepted the plea.
Turning to the FIA officials, the judge questioned the agency on the status of the challan. The investigation officer requested more time to submit it.
However, Elahi’s counsel strongly objected, pointing out that the FIA had already been given three opportunities but failed to produce any evidence. “This is pure victimisation,” Ran argued. “The FIA has nothing concrete against Pervaiz Elahi.”
The judge responded that while time had been sought by the FIA, the agency must justify the allegations it had levelled by presenting the challan.
Ran further contended that Moonis Elahi was also wrongly implicated. “Moonis Elahi is innocent. He was deliberately named in the case. Not a single charge has been proven against him, yet red warrants have been issued purely to pressurise him,” he said. He alleged that the money laundering case was fabricated for political reasons. “Had there been any evidence, the government would have brought it before the court by now,” he added.
Concluding the hearing, the court granted the FIA a final opportunity to file the challan by August 18. The judge warned that if the agency failed again, proceedings would move forward in accordance with the law.
