Arguments sought in recruitments case

LAHORE:

An anti-corruption court sought arguments on a plea filed by co-accused Mukhtar Ranjha seeking acquittal in the case relating to alleged illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly involving former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and others.

During the hearing, conducted by Anti-Corruption Court Judge Javed Iqbal Warraich, counsel for Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and former Principal Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti submitted applications seeking exemption from personal appearance for one day. The lawyers informed the court that both accused were unwell and produced medical documents in support of their requests.

The court was told that doctors had advised them to rest, while Muhammad Khan Bhatti was also suffering from back pain. After reviewing the applications, the court approved the one-day exemption requests of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Muhammad Khan Bhatti.

The court subsequently adjourned further proceedings until June 17 and directed that arguments be presented on Mukhtar Ranjha's acquittal application at the next hearing.