Lahore (March 21, 2011) Moonis Elahi the senior central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League on the FIA’s request was granted another three day remand by the Judicial Magistrate in Lahore today. His defence lawyer said that in the absence of any proof or testimony against Moonis Elahi the FIA had detained him purely on vindictive and prejudicial grounds. Earlier when Moonis Elahi was brought to the court a large number of the Pakistan Muslim League leaders and workers welcomed him with flower petals and garlands. When a highly confident Moonis Elahi stepped out of the police van the PML workers chanted various slogans including “chief minister Moonis Elahi we are with you”.
During the hearing Moonis Elahi’s lawyer, Mohammad Iqbal Bhatti strongly opposed the request for further remand of his client and accused the FIA Additional Director General, Zafar Qureshi of falsely implicating Moonis Elahi in the NICL case on account of his personal prejudice and enmity. He drew the court’s attention to the fact that when Moonis Elahi was abroad he was summoned to appear as a witness on January 27, 2011 and when his lawyer informed that his client would be returning home in a week’s time to record his statement strangely and without any tangible reason Moonis Elahi’s arrest warrants were issued and he was declared an absconder. He said that the FIA tried its level best to prevent Moonis Elahi’s return to the country and when after being bailed by the Sind High Court Moonis Elahi appeared several times to record his statement the FIA officials turned a deaf ear to his requests. Moonis Elahi’s lawyer accused the FIA of misguiding the court. He said that there was no reason to award Moonis Elahi a further remand as he was ready to appear whenever summoned.
