A Court of Responsibility in Lahore granted a permanent exemption from the appearance to former Punjab Prime Minister, Perceviz Elahi, in a corruption and nephew reference related to development projects in Gujrat, said Express News on Thursday.
The court allowed the exemption for medical reasons and appointed Anwar Hussain as the Pleader of Elahi to appear in his name during the procedures.
The declarant of Elahi appeared before the court, while former main secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti was absent.
The Court postponed the hearing due to the absence of other defendants in the case.
The reference alleges financial irregularities in Gujrat development projects during Elahi’s mandate.
Last month, a court of responsibility formally accused Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in a reference of the National Responsibility Office (NAB) linked to the alleged corruption in development projects.
Elahi appeared before the court to deny the charges, which include receiving bribes through his former main secretary, Muhammad Khan Bhatti.
The reference alleges that Bhatti facilitated the appointments of preferred officials in the Punjab road department to execute the scheme.
During the hearing, the court staff completed Elahi’s assistance in his vehicle, where he signed the charges.
Judge Zubair Shehzad Kiyani presided over the session, stating that the delays caused by the defendant’s tactics had required an accusation process in stages.
Several other coacked, including Bhatti, have already been accused.
The NAB states that Elahi, along with his son Moonis Elahi, orchestrated the scheme, taking bribes under the appearance of development initiatives in Gujrat.
The Court expressed its frustration with the recurring medical exemptions presented by the defense, which often interrupted the procedures.
