An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has approved a two-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in a case pertaining to an attack on Judicial Complex Islamabad.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police arrested him after the ATC announced the reserved judgment.
During the hearing, Elahi’s lawyer, Ali Bukhari, prayed to the court that there was no mention of interrogation in the police’s plea for physical remand.
"What did the investigating officer do in the past 24 hours? Elahi's legal counsel argued, "There is nothing for the police to look into. The court will need to determine if an inquiry into Parvez Elahi is indeed necessary."
In addition, Bukhari asserted in court that Shah Mahmood Qureshi was represented by him in the same case and that Qureshi's bail had been confirmed. The lawyer said, "There is no need for an identification parade as everyone in the country is aware of Parvez Elahi's identity."
The prosecution presented its evidence, saying that Islamabad police needed Elahi in a case that was filed in March.
"Evidence needs to be collected. The informant told the plaintiff that Parvez Elahi was involved (in the attack on the judicial complex)," the prosecutor said, adding that physical remand of the PTI president was necessary.
Elahi’s counsel filed a contempt of court petition in the IHC against his client’s arrest.
A day earlier, the former Punjab chief minister was taken into custody by CTD shortly after being released by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police in compliance with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order.
"Evidence needs to be collected. The informant told the plaintiff that Parvez Elahi was involved (in the attack on the judicial complex)," the prosecutor said, adding that physical remand of the PTI president was necessary.
Elahi’s counsel filed a contempt of court petition in the IHC against his client’s arrest.
A day earlier, the former Punjab chief minister was taken into custody by CTD shortly after being released by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police in compliance with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order.