LAHORE/RAWALPINDI:
A specialized court in Pakistan has issued bailable arrest warrants for Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the former Chief Minister of Punjab, in connection with money laundering charges.
The proceedings took place Monday before Judge Muhammad Arif Khan Niazi, who was presiding over a case brought forward by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Elahi did not attend the scheduled hearing, prompting his legal team to request a one-day exemption citing health concerns.
According to the defense application, the 80-year-old former chief minister was experiencing illness and had been advised by medical professionals to take rest. However, the court expressed frustration with Elahi’s pattern of non-attendance at hearings.
Judge Niazi declined to grant the medical exemption and proceeded to issue the arrest warrants. The court has set the bail amount at Rs10,000, requiring surety bonds to be posted for Elahi’s release if arrested.
The case represents the latest legal challenge facing the veteran politician in what has become an ongoing judicial process related to financial misconduct allegations.
