LAHORE: An accountability court on Friday started recording testimonies of the prosecution witnesses in a reference pertaining to receiving alleged kickbacks in development projects against PTI president and former chief minister Parvez Elahi and others.

Mr Elahi did not appear before the court citing medical reasons when Judge Zubair Shahzad Kiyani resumed the hearing.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented its witness, Section Officer Muhammad Tayyab. The witness submitted records related to the development projects and recorded his statement in the court.

He testified that the development projects in Gujrat were approved by the Punjab Assembly and the provincial cabinet. He said the standing cabinet committee on finance and development, comprising 24 members, gave approval for the schemes.

The defense counsel, Amjad Pervez, cross-examined the NAB witness regarding his statement.

The judge accepted a request for a one-time exemption from appearance on medical grounds submitted on behalf of Mr Elahi and summoned him on Feb 13.

The NAB alleged that Muhammad Khan Bhatti, the former principal secretary to the chief minister, maneuvered the award of contracts in favour of his favourite contractors in connivance with other suspects, including some government official.

It said Mr Elahi, being chief minister approved, full payment to the contractors even before the commencement of construction work, only to receive kickbacks.

The bureau alleged that the money from the corruption committed by Mr Bhatti had been transferred into the bank accounts of Mr Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi.

In this reference, the charges have been framed against Mr Elahi and other accused persons.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2025