‘Cases yet to surface’: Elahi, Wajahat, others knock on LHC door for protective bail

LAHORE: Former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain and others on Wednesday filed a petition in Lahore High Court seeking protective bail against cases “yet to surface.”

The leaders seeking protective bail include: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Wajahat Hussain, Hussain Elahi, Musa Elahi and Zaigham Elahi, have made Federal and Punjab caretaker governments, FIA, Punjab police and others party in the petition.

The petitioners also appealed to the high court that they should be granted protective bail in cases [still not surfaced]. They also requested the Lahore High Court that the law enforcement agencies should be directed not to harass the petitioners. “The FIA, Anti-Corruption and police should be asked to refrain from violating sanctity of home.” They also appealed to the court that they should be provided all details about cases registered in every institution secretly.

Pervaiz Elahi said he has been criticizing appointment of Punjab’s caretaker chief minister openly. He accused that the caretaker chief minister “with the connivance” of other politicians was victimizing his family. He said police were blackmailing and harassing the petitioners. They also said that cases were being registered against them. He further said that his brother, sons, nephews were being threatened from unknown numbers.

Police accused of harassment, illegal raids

Earlier, former Punjab CM Ch Pervaiz Elahi accused the police of raiding his residence in Gujrat early Wednesday morning.

During a private TV programme, Elahi said the raid took place at around 4:30am and that women were also present at the residence at the time.

According to him, the raid was carried out by the caretaker government of Punjab — headed by Mohsin Naqvi, a media mogul who Elahi and former prime minister Imran Khan both have accused of being in cahoots with the central government and military establishment — and the administration of Shehbaz Sharif.

Raids without warrants

Moonis Elahi, his son and former federal minister, also weighed in, taking to Twitter to express his concern that the police conducted the raid without a warrant or any apparent cause.

He questioned the presence of 25 police vehicles, including two black Vigos — a reference to the vehicle used traditionally by the military — and asked if they were searching for Indian intelligence agents.

The incident is currently under investigation and further details are yet to be released.

Meanwhile, Elahi announced his plans to take legal action against the raid on his residence. Elahi took to Twitter to express his stance and said he has full faith in the independence of the judiciary.

The raid was carried out by the caretaker government as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation against Elahi and his family by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

 

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