The Federal Investigation Agency has put the names of Punjab CM Parvez Elahi’s sons Moonis and Rasikh – and their wives – on the Exit Control List in view of the money laundering case against them, it emerged on Wednesday.
In this regard, a formal communiqué has been sent to the additional director general of the immigration department.
Those named in the no-fly list include Saira Anwar, Iram Amin, Tehrim Elahi, Zahra Elahi, Arshad Iqbal, Sambal Rehan, Farhan Khan, and Qaiser Iqbal Bhatti, according to media reports.
After the aforesaid move by the federal agency, the aforesaid persons won’t be able to leave the country for the next 30 days.
The development comes at a time when Punjab’s chief minister struggles to retain his chairmanship, with intense wrangling ongoing in the province.
Earlier today, in a much anticipated hearing at the Lahore High Court, Elahi’s lawyer was asked how much time he required to take the vote of confidence. Otherwise, the court remarked it would fix a date for the vote in the Punjab provincial assembly.
The petition against the removal of the chief minister Punjab was heard by a five member bench, headed by Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh of the Lahore High Court.
During the hearing, Justice Abid inquired why the matter had not been resolved, at which Elahi’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar said that all the issues would be resolved in the court.
The court inquired about the latest position, at which the lawyer of governor Punjab Balighur Rehman said that the court had given the chief minister enough time. To which the counsel replied that “adequate time” was not given. However, the court had also cleared the way for Elahi to take a vote of confidence.
Justice Abid remarked that the governor can ask the chief minister to take a vote of confidence, and in the end it is up to the assembly members to decide who can become the chief minister. “Maybe we set a date”, the judge remarked.
The case is ongoing and crucial developments are expected in terms of the trust vote and the fate of the provincial assemblies.
It should be noted that just a day ago, PTI chairman Imran Khan had expressed serious misgivings about Chaudhry Pervez Elahi wanting to vacate the Punjab chief ministry.
