Obtain bail before election, Elahi advises politicians

Ex-Punjab CM says system is at a standstill in absence of election; Nawaz has changed

ISLAMABAD:

“Obtain protective bail from the court,” is the only advice incarcerated and unable to walk free, former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi, gives to all politicians in the wake of the ongoing political situation in the country.

Elahi, who is also the central president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was produced before Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain at the end of his judicial remand in a vandalism case registered by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

Before the hearing, Elahi had an informal conversation with journalists and gave terse responses to their questions. He was asked about the elections, which the Election Commission of Pakistan said, the other day, would be held in the last week of January.

“Election should be held on time because the system is at a standstill due to lack of it,” he said. “Whether I will come out [of jail] or not before the election, only Allah knows better but given the current situation, all the politicians should get protective bail before the election.”

Read more: Court sends Elahi to judicial custody

Elahi, who had been arrested several times, in a number of cases one after another, told reporters that he could not say anything about the backdoor talks with PTI Chairman Imran Khan. However, he added that he would meet Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain again.

When his comments were sought on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s remarks that it didn’t matter if Elahi as well as the PTI ally, Sheikh Rashid, remained inside of outside, he replied: “Let Bilawal celebrate his birthday.”

To another question about rumours that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif was changing the date of his return to Pakistan, he said: “Nawaz Sharif himself has also changed.”

Case hearing

During the hearing, an application was filed on behalf of Elahi for a meeting with his family members. Judge Zulqarnain said that Elahi’s bail in the case had been approved. He also asked if Elahi was on judicial remand in other cases.

Also read: Elahi's one-day transit remand to Punjab ACE approved

Elahi’s lawyer, Sardar Abdul Raziq, said that he was on judicial remand in a case related to corruption.

Elahi came to the rostrum and apprised the judge that a wall had been erected outside his cell in the jail that blocked the passage of fresh air.

He also complained that a stranger sat outside his cell. The judge said whoever the stranger was, the court would find out.

Then the judge asked about the bail application in the corruption case in Lahore.

The lawyer replied that the bail application had been moved. The hearing was adjourned till Oct 13.