An accountability court in Lahore on Thursday once again indicted former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and eight other accused in a corruption and kickbacks reference linked to development projects in Gujrat. The indictment was reissued after the inclusion of new co-accused in the case. Parvez Elahi, along with former principal secretary of the Punjab Assembly Muhammad Khan Bhatti and other suspects, appeared before the Accountability Court Lahore Judge Rana Muhammad Arif. 

The other co-accused named in the case include Khalid Mahmood Chatha, Salman Ahmed, Asad Ali, Naeem Iqbal, Muhammad Asghar, Asif Mahmood Rathore and Muzaffar Iqbal.  During the proceedings, the prosecution submitted a supplementary reference against two newly added co-accused, prompting the court to frame charges afresh against all nine suspects. 

Following the indictment, the court summoned prosecution witnesses to record their statements at the next hearing.  The judge remarked that due to his previously granted permanent exemption from personal appearance, Parvez Elahi would not be required to attend future hearings, and his authorised representative would continue to appear on his behalf for the trial. 

Qaisra Elahi, mother of Moonis Elahi, challenged proceedings initiated against her in an assets-related case.  Her counsel requested more time to present arguments, after which the court adjourned the hearing on her petition until January 22 and directed the defence to complete arguments on the maintainability of the plea at the next date. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)