LAHORE: An Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday postponed proceedings in the Punjab Assembly illegal recruitment case until November 18, 2026, directing former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to appear at the next hearing for his indictment.
The hearing was presided over by Judge Javed Iqbal Warriach. Former Punjab Assembly Principal Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and other accused persons, who are currently on bail, appeared before the court.
Parvez Elahi, however, was absent from the proceedings as his lawyer submitted an application seeking exemption from personal appearance on medical grounds, stating that his client was unwell and required rest.
The court accepted the request for a one-day exemption but expressed displeasure over his repeated absence, observing that the delays were affecting the indictment process.
The judge directed all accused persons to ensure their presence at the next hearing, warning that further absences would hamper the progress of the case.
The court also scheduled arguments on the acquittal plea of co-accused Mukhtar Ranjha for the next hearing.
The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab had registered the case against Parvez Elahi, Muhammad Khan Bhatti and others over alleged irregularities in recruitment to the Punjab Assembly and accusations of influencing the selection process.
