A heavy contingent of the Punjab Police raided the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) president Parvez Elahi on Friday night to arrest him, drawing sharp criticism from the party, which has accused its workers and leaders. Expressing reservations against arrests.
The six-hour-long police operation came to a halt after Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment Director General Sohail Zafar Chatta left the scene along with the police force.
Speaking to the media at the former chief minister’s residence, Chatha denied any wrongdoing. He said that he did not do anything illegal and petrol bombs were thrown at the police party that came to arrest Elahi.
He noted that the operation was initiated by persons present at Elahi’s residence, who were not cooperating with the police. Chatta’s appointment as DGACE was objected by PTI. The party led by Imran Khan had also challenged the decision of the caretaker government of Punjab in the court in February this year.
Earlier, the police and anti-corruption authorities had partially suspended their operation claiming that although Elahi was not present at his residence, the location of his mobile phone indicated that he was there. But after receiving information from the arrested house help that Elahi was at his residence, they started it again.
The police have arrested 12 people, most of whom are servants working in the house of the former Punjab Chief Minister. Apart from this, several PTI workers who protested at the scene were also arrested.
The raid came hours after talks between the PTI and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government on election dates, with the former demanding a halt to the arrests of its workers. It was said that if the actions of the law enforcement agencies do not come, the negotiations may derail. to stop
Analysts say the authorities’ pressure tactics are boosting PTI chairman Imran Khan’s popularity, noting that no member has so far faced late-night raids by the government.
In February this year, the police raided the former Punjab chief minister’s house twice, but returned without arresting him. In March, the Punjab Police also raided Khan’s Zaman Park residence, which was withdrawn following court orders.
A heavy contingent of police along with an anti-corruption official raided Elahi’s house. During the operation, the police cordoned off Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Road outside the residence.
An armored police vehicle (APC) broke down the main gate of the residence after people inside the house resisted the law enforcers and tried to prevent arrest. The police claim that they were pelted with stones, injuring policemen and journalists covering the incident.
SP Amara Shirazi along with a team of women police officers entered Elahi’s house and conducted a raid. Returned from home after a short search.
‘No search warrant required’
According to Elahi’s lawyer Aamir Saeed, the police authorities intended to arrest his client, even though he had been granted bail in a case by the Lahore High Court (LHC). After that, the Anti-Corruption Department officials demanded to see the bail order of the court during the raid.
While talking to the media, Elahi’s lawyer said that Lahore High Court Justice Tariq Salim Shaikh has granted his client’s pre-arrest bail till May 6. Saeed added that the order of the High Court is always received the next day. He said that we have forced him to discuss the matter with the court official.
The Anti-Corruption Department told the media that law enforcement agencies raided the house of the PTI president, who was reportedly not granted bail in the case but faced resistance from inside. Had to take action.
Officials said that law enforcement officials will not leave the location until Elahi’s arrest because the location shows him here. “A search warrant is not required [in this case].”
Officials said without giving further details that a case has been registered against Elahi in Gujranwala.
Imran will announce the ‘road map’ tomorrow.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Monis Elahi’s son criticized the police action, saying that the Punjab Police had reached his father’s residence to arrest him, even though he was granted bail in the case today.
Punjab police is at our residence to arrest my father right now in a case for which he got bail today. His bail hearing was covered by all media outlets. PM @ImranKhanPTI is absolutely right : Rule of Law has ended in Pakistan.
— Moonis Elahi (@MoonisElahi6) April 28, 2023
Elahi’s bail hearing was widely covered by the media, he said in a tweet.
Monis also cited former Prime Minister Khan’s recent statement regarding the rule of law in Pakistan, agreeing with him that it has indeed ended in the country.
PTI chief Khan strongly condemned the police action against Elahi, saying it was an illegal raid on his house, without regard to the presence of women and family members.
On Twitter, Khan expressed his concern over the erosion of democracy in Pakistan, saying that the Constitution, Supreme Court judgments and fundamental rights of the people are being flouted, and the law of the jungle is being imposed.
laundering Sharif & Zardari families in this manner? Enough is enough. Tomorrow I will give roadmap to our nation on how to stand up against this destruction of our Constitution & democracy.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 28, 2023
Khan alleged that the London Plan was being used to demoralize his party. He said that his own residence was attacked and now this is what is being done to Elahi by corrupt persons and their handlers.
He questioned whether the state would dare to raid the houses of looters and money launderers like Sharif and Zardari family in the same way?
Declaring that enough is enough, Khan announced that he would present a road map to the nation on how to resist the destruction of Pakistan’s constitution and democracy.
PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry has criticized the late night raid on the party president’s residence.
ایک طرف مذاکرات دوسری طرف گرفتاریاں؟ چوہدری پرویز الہی کے گھر چھاپہ سے ثابت ہوتا ہے کہ اسحق ڈار، سعد رفیق اور اعظم تارڑ کی اپنی حکومت میں کوئ حیثیت نہیں ، اس چھاپے کی شدید مذمت کرتے ہیں
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 28, 2023
Chaudhry said on Twitter that the police action is proof that government ministers Ishaq Dar, Saad Rafique and Azam Nazir Tarar have no credibility in the government.
PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi has condemned the police action at Elahi’s residence, terming it as “state terrorism”. Zaidi alleged that the government was using the police force to spread terror against the PTI.
He criticized the government for negotiating with PTI on the one hand and using excessive force to break doors and enter houses on the other. Zaidi also expressed concern that the country was being pushed towards anarchy.
Moreover, he pointed out that the gate which the police had crushed during the raid was also being used by Chaudhry Shujaat.
