LAHORE: The government on Wednesday shifted Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to Kot Lakhpath Jail, Lahore.

Recently, the IHC directed the interior secretary to decide an application seeking a court decree to declare the residence of former chief minister of Punjab Parvez Elahi as a sub-jail and his subsequent shifting there.

Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir was hearing a petition filed by Mr Elahi’s spouse, who contended that the PTI president could be detained in his residence for health reasons.

A medical board constituted to ascertain his health condition advised that the former CM be kept in Rawalpindi prison, and that he should not travel.

Reacting to PTI president’s shifting to the jail, his wife Qaisara Elahi said in statement on Wednesday, “The interior secretary didn’t follow Islamabad High Court’s order and shifted Parvez Elahi from Islamabad territory to Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.”

“This step of the ministry of interior is against the decision of the IHC. Immediate action should be ensured according to the IHC order,” she said.

Earlier, in the letters addressed to the interior secretary and Punjab’s additional chief secretary home, Mr Elahi’s spouse wrote, “In view of his peculiar health condition, injuries, and on humanitarian grounds, my husband, Parvez Elahi, be taken out of jail premises and put under house arrest at Islamabad or Lahore”.

The court noted that Mr Elahi is not a convict, and the right to life of an under-trial prisoner, guaranteed by the Constitution, supersedes the obligation of the state to try him for an alleged offence. The court directed the interior secretary to consider the application of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders if the matter falls within his competence; otherwise, the matter will be referred to the appropriate forum within two days.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2024