LHC issues show-cause notice to Islamabad IG in Parvez Elahi case
Pakistan
Former CM’s wife has filed petition in LHC
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued a show-cause notice to Islamabad IG Dr Akbar Nasir Khan during a hearing of production of PTI President Parvez Elahi in court.
On Friday, Elahi was rearrested by Islamabad police near his residence shortly after the LHC had released him with a restraining order against any potential arrest by a government agency or preventive detention.
The arrest took place when an Islamabad police team, assisted by Lahore police, intercepted a white SUV in which Elahi was traveling with his lawyer, Sardar Latif Khosa, on their way to his home. They forcefully transferred him into an unmarked white car. This arrest was captured on camera and widely shared on social media, drawing condemnation from various quarters, including the Pakistan Bar Council.
The Islamabad police cited Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order as the grounds for Elahi's custody. Following his re-arrest, Elahi approached the Islamabad High Court for his release, while his wife, Qaisara Elahi, filed two pleas in the LHC.
During today's hearing of Qaisara's plea for Elahi's production in court, Justice Amjad Rafiq of the LHC summoned Punjab IG Dr Usman Anwar and Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana.
The plea mentioned multiple respondents, including the Punjab police chief, CCPO, the caretaker government of Punjab, the provincial home secretary, DIG investigation, DIG operations, and SP Model Town. It requested that the respondents be instructed to produce Elahi in court to satisfy the petitioner that her husband was not in illegal custody and to release him if the court found his custody unlawful.
At the beginning of the hearing, the court set a deadline of 11am for IG Anwar and the CCPO to appear in person. However, the government's lawyer requested an extension until 2pm, which was granted by the judge. IG Anwar, along with Punjab Advocate General Khalid Ishaq, appeared in court after 2pm.
Justice Amjad Rafiq explained the purpose of summoning them was to gather facts about the case. The Punjab Advocate General clarified that he was only responsible for any contemptuous actions committed by his team and stated his intention to launch a fresh investigation into the matter. He requested additional time from the court to submit a reply.
When asked about Elahi's whereabouts, both the Punjab IG and AG Ishaq claimed ignorance. They suggested that Islamabad police might have information about Elahi's current location. The judge noted that Elahi was being held in Attock jail.
