LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to produce former chief minister Parvez Elahi on Friday (today) after the anti-graft body did not present him citing security reasons.

Justice Amjad Rafiq was hearing a petition of Elahi against his arrest in an alleged corruption case by the NAB.

At the outset of the hearing, the judge directed a NAB prosecutor to present Elahi in the court by 2pm.However, the prosecutor said Elahi could not be produced due to security concerns. He said a letter had been written to the chief secretary for the provision of fool-proof security for the production of the former chief minister before the court.

Earlier, the NAB’s lawyer asked the court for an adjournment to submit a reply to the petition.

At this, Justice Rafiq remarked that the NAB could take as much time as it wanted to file its reply but the court would then release Elahi.

The judge asked the prosecutor how Parvez Elahi was arrested despite a court order. The prosecutor claimed that the NAB was not a party to a case wherein the court had passed the order relating to the arrest of Elahi.

He also questioned the jurisdiction of the single bench to hear a matter relating to the NAB. He said a division bench was competent to hear cases against the NAB.

However, the judge rejected the argument saying the court was hearing a matter about non-implementation of its order.

An additional advocate general requested the court for time to file a reply on behalf of the caretaker Punjab government, but the judge rejected the plea on the basis that the government was not a party in the case.

The judge ruled if Elahi was released, a fresh warrant would be issued and the NAB’s arrest would be given a legal cover.

Elahi’s lawyer stated that the court should release the former chief minister on bail.

The judge adjourned the hearing till Friday (today) and directed the NAB to produce Elahi at 10am.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2023