IHC orders placing Parvez Elahi under house arrest

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday directed the Interior Ministry to expedite the process of placing Pakistan Tehreek Insaf leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi under house arrest within 15 days.

The court’s directive followed its approval of a petition requesting either the transfer of the PTI politician to a hospital or the declaration of his residence as a sub-jail. This plea was filed by his wife, Qaisara Elahi.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir of the IHC, presiding over the case, issued the orders and instructed the superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure that the 78-year-old politician receives medical facilities according to his preferences at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

“Notably, Parvez Elahi is not yet convicted; he is a 78-year-old under trial prisoner and medical facilities should be provided to his satisfaction,” read the court order. It further mandated that he be permitted to undergo a weekly medical examination by his physician while in jail.

The court noted that Parvez Elahi had submitted applications to the provincial home secretary and additional home secretary, urging them to consider his requests and make decisions accordingly. If the matter falls beyond the jurisdiction of the home secretary, it should be referred to the appropriate forum within two days. The relevant forum is to decide on Qaisara’s plea within 14 days, under the law.

The court underscored the importance of considering previous decisions concerning similar cases involving Khadim Hussain and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while adjudicating Qaisara’s plea.

Last week, an anti-corruption court had once again postponed the indictment of Parvez Elahi and others in the Punjab Assembly illegal appointments case due to his absence, attributed to health reasons. The Adiala Jail officials cited a medical report saying that he sustained injuries after a fall in the jail washroom and required rest.

In response, Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta postponed the indictment and scheduled further proceedings for May 13, summoning all accused for the indictment on that date. Earlier in April, Parvez Elahi was transferred from Adiala Jail to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital due to severe chest pain, according to jail sources.

The PIMS confirmed his admission to the cardiology ward, where he underwent cardiac tests and received treatment. Though stable, Parvez Elahi was expected to remain hospitalised for approximately two days.