LAHORE: A special court on Saturday denied the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) further physical remand of former principal secretary to chief minister Muhammad Khan Bhatti and sent him to jail on judicial remand in a case of receiving kickbacks.

A team of ACE produced Bhatti before the court on expiry of his previous remand and sought his further custody for seven days.

A counsel of Bhatti opposed further remand saying the ACE had no evidence against the suspect. He said his client had been arrested on political considerations.

He asked the court to reject the remand request of the ACE and discharge the suspect in the case.

The court denied the ACE further custody of Bhatti and sent him to jail on judicial remand.

The ACE accused Bhatti of receiving kickbacks in appointments made in the Punjab Assembly and against the transfers of the government servants.

Bhatti, who is believed to be a confidant of former chief minister Parvez Elahi, also served as a secretary of the provincial assembly.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2023