On Friday, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad ordered the imprisonment of Parvez Elahi, the President of PTI, for a period of 14 days on judicial remand. This decision was related to his involvement in the riots that occurred outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) on March 18.
The events of March 18 were marked by violent clashes between the police and PTI supporters during the appearance of party chairman Imran Khan at the FJC for a hearing regarding the Toshakhana case.
Elahi had been arrested in connection with this case on September 5, shortly after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had temporarily suspended his detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance and ordered his release.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Elahi was brought before the ATC at the FJC. The police had requested a 14-day physical remand for him, while his legal team had urged the court to dismiss the case against him. However, the ATC had granted the police a two-day physical remand for the PTI president.
In today’s court session, Elahi appeared before ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, with lawyers Sardar Abdur Razzaq, Babar Awan, and Ali Bukhari representing him, and Prosecutor Tahir Kazim present as well.
The prosecutor requested a 10-day extension of Elahi’s physical remand, but his lawyers persisted in their request to have him released from the case.
The ATC, however, rejected both requests and ordered that the former Punjab chief minister be sent to Adiala Jail for 14 days on judicial remand. He is scheduled to appear in court again on September 22, and the investigation officer was instructed to provide a report on the matter.
Parvez Elahi’s legal team subsequently filed a bail application, leading the ATC to issue notices to the respondents, who are expected to provide their replies by September 11.
Furthermore, Elahi’s lawyers submitted a handwritten request to the court, asking for permission for the PTI leader’s family to visit him and for him to receive home-cooked food for medical reasons. Judge Hasnat approved this request.