PTI’s Parvez Elahi re-arrested shortly after being released in Lahore

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi was re-arrested in another corruption case shortly after being discharged in Rs70 million embezzlement case by a local court in Lahore on Friday.

The police took the former Punjab chief minister into custody from Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) headquarter.

Earlier, Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk discharged the PTI leader in Rs70 million corruption case related to the embezzlement of development funds allocated for the Gujrat district and ordered to release him if he was not wanted in any other case.

Earlier, the PTI president vowed to stand with his party as he was presented before an anti-corruption court Friday after his dramatic arrest a day earlier.

Elahi was arrested by Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in relation to a case involving Rs70 million corruption related to the embezzlement of development funds allocated for the Gujrat district — in which his bail was rejected.

Various corruption cases have been registered against the former Punjab chief minister, who is accused of receiving kickbacks for awarding several government development projects during his tenure.

Elahi — while speaking to reporters before his hearing — said: "I am innocent and a supporter of Pakistan Army."

In his message to party workers and supporters, the former CM urged the them to stay strong.

While exclusively speaking to Geo News, Elahi (without naming anybody) took a jibe at the former party leaders who announced their decision to part ways with Imran Khan, saying that he won’t hold any press conference.

Blaming Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Elahi recalled that he did not make any political case against anyone but “Naqvi has metted out injustice with me.”

Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza reserved the verdict after hearing the former Punjab chief minister’s case, where the ACE requested the court for his 14-day physical remand.

During the hearing, Elahi’s counsel Advocate Rana Intizar informed the court that all documents related to the projects are available.

“Anti-corruption watchdog is introducing its own law under which the judge hearing the cases will be of their choice,” the council said, adding that on January 17, 2023 a payment worth Rs360 million was made when Naqvi was the chief minister.

According to details, two cases were registered in Gujranwala against him on the charges of receiving kickbacks in awarding contracts while one case has been lodged in Lahore against the former chief minister.

Earlier, a special judge of the anti-corruption court in Lahore issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the former Punjab CM, ordering authorities to produce him by June 2. Two arrest warrants have been issued for the PTI leader. The first one was issued on May 25 after the cancellation of bail while the second one on May 26. An anti-corruption team earlier had also reached his residence for arrest. However, he could not be arrested.

The Punjab Police and Elite Force had cordoned off the locality around Elahi’s residence, banning exit and entry points to the house.

In April, the ACE Gujranwala filed a case against the PTI president citing a report based on sources, in which the former Punjab CM was accused of taking a Rs2 billion bribe for the contract of a development scheme.

In another case, an FIR No 6/23 was registered against Elahi for taking a bribe of Rs120 million from an international organisation — a Turkish company.

The anti-corruption court judge also declared Elahi’s medical certificate as bogus which claimed that he had been experiencing chest pain.