LAHORE: A special court (central) on Saturday set aside the proceedings to declare former federal minister Moonis Elahi a proclaimed offender (PO) by a judicial magistrate in a money laundering case and directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to start the whole process afresh.

Judge Bakhat Fakhar Bahzad noted that fake reports about the service of the summons on the addresses of Moonis Elahi and other suspects had been filed by the officials. He directed the FIA director general to take action against the officials responsible for the submission of a false report.

He observed how the prosecution got the suspects declared POs through a magistrate whereas the challan (investigation report) was supposed to be filed before the special court.

A prosecutor for the FIA admitted that legal formalities had not been properly fulfilled to declare the suspects POs. However, he requested the court to show leniency on the matter.

The prosecutor told the court that fresh international addresses of the absconding suspects had been furnished to issue fresh summons.

The judge directed the prosecution to start the process afresh strictly in accordance with law and also submit challan against former chief minister Parvez Elahi in the case by Aug 30.

The FIA registered three cases of alleged money laundering against Moonis after he left the country. The Anti-Corruption Establishment also registered a case against him and others.

At present, Moonis’ father PTI President Parvez Elahi is under detention as ordered by the Lahore deputy commissioner under the Maintenance of Public Order. He has been shifted to Adiala jail.

Meanwhile, sources in the Elahi family say the government had framed both father and son in “bogus” cases only to pressurise them into leaving the Pakistan Tehsreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Referring to the special court’s decision, the sources told Dawn that both PTI leaders did not bow to the pressure exerted by the government and decided to keep standing by the PTI and Imran Khan.

“Truth has prevailed [finally],” a family source asserted.

Since the FIA had linked the General Mediterranean Holding SA, an offshore company, to Parvez Elahi and his son Moonis in a money laundering case under investigation, a letter written by Mr A Husain, secretary to the Board for and on behalf of the General Mediterranean Holding SA SPF UK representative office, with reference to FIR 18/2023 of FIA Anti-Money Laundering Circle Lahore, stated the agency’s conclusions contained a number of “inaccuracies and misstatements”.

“The conclusion of FIA that General Mediterranean Holding SA SPF was incorporated by Mr Gibran Khan, allegedly being touted as Elahis’ front man, is incorrect,” the letter addressed “To whom it may concern”, claims.

Furthermore, the board secretary claims the three persons named as supposed owners/ beneficiaries of the company – Parvez Elahi, Moonis Elahi and Gibran Khan -- have no connection with the off-shore company.

Rejecting the FIA’s challan that stated that the off-shore company was purposefully set up by Gibran Khan, the then CEO of Agro Tractor to hide the actual owner/shareholder of the company, the sources say Gibran Khan was hardly three years old when the company was established.

Published in Dawn, Aug 6th, 2023