LAHORE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has opened more corruption probes against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi.

“We are currently investigating the role of the former chief minister in four corruption cases,” ACE Director General Sohail Zafar Chattha told a press conference here on Wednesday.

He alleged that Mr Elahi had forged the Lahore Master Plan. “Fake documents of the Master Plan were arranged through a consultant in a bid to get a financial benefit of Rs10bn to Rs12bn by converting agricultural land into residential and commercial land. Mr Elahi used his position and office for the purpose,” he said.

Chattha said Elahi made illegal appointments in the Punjab Assembly against 300 positions of different grades. He said the results of the testing service were changed to select the candidates of Elahi’s choice.

He said Mr Elahi had increased the crushing capacity of Rahim Yar Khan Sugar Mills by 30,000 metric ton in violation of the law. He said the former chief minister appointed a non-government employee to the position of principal secretary to the CM and promoted Muhammad Khan Bhatti to the most important position through deputation.

Chattha said the ACE was conducting indiscriminate operations against corrupt elements across Punjab.

The Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday granted the capital police two-day physical remand of Mr Elahi in a newly emerged terror case dating back to March 18.

The development comes a day after Elahi was re-arrested hours after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended his detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance and directed his release.

The PTI President has now been arrested at least 11 times in various cases since the start of June and after a statewide crackdown was launched against the PTI in the aftermath of the May 9 violence.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2023