LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was briefly hospitalised on Thursday after facing difficulty in breathing due to his broken ribs.

Mr Elahi was brought to a hospital in the city for medical examination, where a team of doctors examined him for 45 minutes, conducted echo cardiogram and other heart tests, besides taking his blood samples.

The doctors later discharged Mr Elahi, advising him complete bed-rest. The doctors say further treatment will continue in the light of test reports. On July 29, a special anti-corruption court had expressed displeasure over the continuous absence of Parvez Elahi in a case relating to illegal appointments in the Punjab Assembly, giving him one last opportunity to appear.

Mr Elahi’s lawyer presented a medical report before the court, saying doctors had advised his client a complete rest. He requested the court to allow his client a one-time exemption from personal appearance for health reasons.

The court accepted the request, but made it clear to the lawyer that it would be a last opportunity. Mr Elahi has not joined a single hearing of the case since his release on bail in May.

The Anti-Corruption Establishment registered the FIR alleging that illegal appointments of BS-17 posts were made in the assembly when Mr Elahi was the chief minister and co-suspect Muha­m­mad Khan Bhatti was his principal secretary in 2021.

The prosecution alleged that favourite candidates were appointed to the posts despite being declared failed in the written examination.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2024