Court gives month-long extension Pervez Elahi’s judicial remand

Nelson Mandela’ must hold his brother accountable first,  Pervaiz Elahi,

Courts order completing arguments on bail pleas filed by PTI chairman, others,

Islamabad_ Former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, in an apparent reference to PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif’s return, has labelled the former three-time prime minister as Nelson Mandela, asking him to first hold his brother accountable,

Talking to newsmen during his appearance in an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Tuesday, Pervaiz Elahi maintained “So much excesses have been committed against people forcing them to commit suicides.”

He said masses were unable to pay their electricity and gas bills. “Joblessness is rampant. Teachers are being tortured. Whatever they are doing they would have to answer in the elections,” he opined.

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Tuesday extended until November 21 the judicial remand of PTI Central President and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in connection with a case registered at CTD police station,

Pervaiz Elahi was produced in the court but ATC judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain was on leave. He was then taken to the court of duty judge Raja Jawad Abbas.

During the proceedings judge Raja Abbas observed that like politicians there are also caretakers among the judges. “So, I’m a caretaker judge here today,” he added.

The judge then told ex-CM’s lawyer Abdur Razzaq that the hearing will only be adjourned today. He then extended Pervaiz Elahi’s judicial remand until November 21.

The judge also allowed Pervaiz Elahi to hold talks with his lawyers in a separate room.

Earlier,

A local court in the federal capital on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of bail pleas filed by the PTI in six different cases till the 31st of this month.

Directing the defence to complete their arguments on the next hearing, Additional District and Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra also accepted an application filed by the PTI chairman’s counsel – Barrister Umair Niazi and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry – to exempt their client to appear in person on Tuesday.

The PTI chairman is currently imprisoned in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail where a special court has been hearing the cipher case due to security concerns.

Earlier on Aug 15, the same bail pleas were dismissed after the defence failed to pursue the same. However, the Islamabad High Court later decided in favour of the PTI chairman, directing the lower judiciary to hear the applications after the defence challenged their cancellation.

And in Lahore, an anti-terrorism court directed the prosecution and the special prosecutor to present their arguments on the bail applications filed by 24 accused, including PTI leader Dar Yasmin Rashid, in the Askari Tower attack case.

It is one of several cases registered against the PTI leaders and workers in connection with the countrywide violence exhibited by the party after their chairman was arrested in Islamabad on May 9.

During Monday’s hearing, the ATC judge – Arshad Javed – asked the prosecution to complete the arguments. However, it was replied that it wasn’t possible due to non-availability of record as the prosecution sought more time for the purpose.

Apart from Dr Rashid, other accused including Sadaqat Hussain, Rafique Khan and Aizaz Rafique are seeking bail in the case registered with the Ghalib Market (Gulberg) Police Station.