LAHORE, June 21: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested former Punjab chief and PTI leader Pervaiz Elahi on Wednesday in a money laundering case, a day after he secured bail in other cases.
The agency took Elahi to the district court to request his physical remand.
The FIA team had reached camp jail to arrest Elahi for alleged money laundering after his and Moonis Elahi’s companies were exposed in the Panama case. Moonis fled the country, reportedly fearing investigation.
The Panama Papers scandal took a dramatic turn as the companies were implicated in the controversy. The revelation prompted the FIA to initiate a case against the former Punjab chief minister.
The case against Pervaiz and Moonis includes charges of fraud, money laundering, and corruption. It is alleged that the father-son duo concealed billions of rupees in five Panama-based companies.
Substantial evidence of illegal fund transfers from Pakistan to offshore accounts has also been reportedly uncovered by FIA.
Meanwhile, Elahi’s health deteriorated and doctors at the Services Hospital conducted a detailed examination. However, he was declared healthy after the examination and subsequently detained by the FIA.
During Elahi’s appearance in the district court, media personnel were barred from coverage by the police and were also prevented from entering the courtroom. Reporters were also barred from standing in the corridors of the court.
Elahi’s arrest comes a day after an anti-corruption court judge granted him post-arrest bail in an alleged case of corruption concerning out-of-merit appointments in the Punjab Assembly.
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