Persuading Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) president Pervez Elahi – who has been in jail since June 1 in connection with multiple cases registered against him – to return to the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-C) stronghold. In an effort to (Q) Party chief and his cousin Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain met the jailed leader in Camp Jail Lahore on Sunday, sources revealed.
According to reliable sources, Shujaat’s son Chaudhry Salik Hussain and his brother Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain were also present in the meeting.
Elahi was detained by anti-corruption authorities on June 1 near his residence in Lahore in a corruption case involving the embezzlement of development funds earmarked for Gujarat district of Rs 70 million. After that, the former Punjab Chief Minister was arrested several times after being released on the orders of the respective courts.
During the meeting, Shujaat inquired about the well-being of his cousin. Sources further said that issues of mutual interest, current political situation and other issues were discussed.
Shujaat informed Elahi that they had joined politics, adding that it was in their best interest.
Sources familiar with the matter have also revealed that the PTI president is ready to jump ship but his son Munis Elahi is the biggest obstacle for Pervez Elahi to rejoin the Muslim League (Q).
It may be mentioned here that the Muslim League (Q) had suspended Elahi’s primary party membership in January this year for discussing the possibility of the party’s merger with the PTI. On March 7, the former Chief Minister of Punjab was officially appointed as the President of PTI.
The senior politician urged the former chief minister to convince Monis and his family to rejoin the PML-Q.
Before Shujaat’s visit, the medical team also reached the camp jail and conducted a medical examination of the former chief minister.
Sources further said that senior politicians will meet Elahi again in the next few days.
Shujaat hints at Elahi’s departure from PTI
Last month, Shujaat met Elahi in Camp Jail, Lahore, amid a mass exodus of former ruling party leaders.
Officials privy to the visit said Salik Hussain was also present in the meeting. Sources said Shujaat inquired about his cousin’s health and discussed the emerging political situation in the country after the May 9 riots.
In an exclusive conversation with JEE News, the Muslim League-Q president confirmed the news of his meeting with Elahi in jail.
“Parvez Elahi is part of our family, so I visited him [in prison],” he added. Giving details, the senior politician said that Elahi’s health was not good and his feet were also swollen.
When asked if Elahi was rejoining PML-Q, Shujaat said: “Pervez Elahi is already in our party.”
