In a major relief to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party's senior leader and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi on Tuesday was released from prison, Express News reported.
Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore administration has confirmed that the former Punjab chief minister has been released.
Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted bail to Elahi in the illegal recruitment case.
Read more: LHC grants bail to Elahi in illegal recruitment case
Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad presided over the hearing. Elahi's counsel, Amir Saeed Rawn, argued that the anti-corruption body filed the case after a delay of two years.
He further stated in the bail plea that the former Punjab CM had neither accepted money against recruitment nor had any involvement in the recruitment procedure.
Rawn accused the anti-corruption department of planting fake evidence during the raid at Elahi's residence.
Read Contempt of court petition filed against interior secy
However, the anti-corruption lawyer informed the court that the case against Elahi was filed in compliance with legal procedures and the former chief minister was taken into custody on October 25, 2023.
Following arguments from both sides, the court approved the bail application.
Elahi was booked by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab on charges of illegally recruiting a low-ranking officer as his principal secretary by misusing his powers when he was serving as the chief minister and receiving bribe.
