Moonis faces proclaimed offender status

An accountability court on Thursday initiated the process of declaring Moonis Elahi, the son of former Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi, as a proclaimed offender in a case involving the receipt of kickbacks in various development projects.

The court ordered the relevant authorities to publish a proclamation in newspapers to summon the suspect.

Accountability Court Judge Naseem Ahmad Virk issued these orders following an application filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

During the proceedings, the anti-corruption watchdog presented a report confirming the issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants for Moonis on September 26. Despite concerted efforts, NAB had been unable to apprehend him.

The National Accountability Bureau alleged that Moonis had been evading arrest and requested the court to commence proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender.

The anti-graft body had initiated an investigation into the kickback case, accusing both the father and son of receiving over Rs1 billion through intermediaries in more than 200 development projects in Gujrat district.