LAHORE: An Accountability Court here in the provincial metropolis on Friday issued a written order, declaring Moonis Elahi, the former federal minister and son of incarcerated PTI President Ch Pervaiz Elahi an absconder in a corruption case.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) accused Moonis of embezzling money in various development projects and initiated proceedings on Oct 6 to declare former federal minister Moonis Elahi a proclaimed offender, stating that Moonis had been evading arrest and due course of law.
The court, in its written judgment, stated that Moonis Elahi has been evading court proceedings and has failed to cooperate with the prosecution. The court also noted that the 30-day period for advertising the proceedings against Moonis Elahi has been completed.
Consequently, this court declares him as absconder and orders Moonis Elahi’s arrest”, the orders said. The court also observed that non-bailable arrest warrants issued against Elahi will remain in effect until his apprehension.
Moonis, who left the country last year after the crackdown on the PTI, faces multiple cases of corruption and money laundering registered against him by the Federal Investigation Agency, the Anti-Corruption Establishment and NAB.
This decision comes after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed a corruption case against Elahi in 2022, alleging that he had embezzled funds in various development projects. The FIA had also requested the court to declare Elahi an absconder for failing to appear before it.
The district court had also begun the process to freeze his assets, and bank account and cancel his computerised national identity card (CNIC), passport, and bank accounts.
Moonis and his father Parvez are among several PTI leaders and workers facing legal troubles amid the state’s crackdown on the PTI leadership following the May 9 riots.
