LAHORE: A special court (Central-I) on Saturday granted permanent exemption from personal appearance to Zara Elahi, a daughter-in-law of PTI President Parvez Elahi, in a money laundering case, allowing her to appoint a pleader.

Judge Sheikh Tanvir Ahmed conducted the hearing of the case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Mr Elahi and Zara Elahi did not appear before court for the hearing.

A defence lawyer filed two separate applications seeking one-time and permanent exemption from personal appearance for the former chief minister and his daughter-in-law, respectively.

He said Zara Elahi is a veiled woman and should be granted permanent exemption from personal appearance.

The judge allowed both applications and appointed Advocate Farrukh Amin Rana as her pleader to attend the trial proceedings.

The judge directed that Zara Elahi would only need to appear before the court at the time of the indictment.

Further proceedings in the case will take place on Nov 5.

The FIA registered the case of alleged money laundering against former federal minister Moonis Elahi and his family after he left the country.

Moonis has already been declared a proclaimed offender in the case.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024