LAHORE: An accountability court on Monday resumed proceedings in the corruption and kickbacks reference related to development projects in Gujarat, involving former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
The hearing was brief and subsequently adjourned until September 16. Pervaiz Elahi’s lawyer, Mukhtiar Ahmad Ranjha, appeared in court on his behalf, as the former chief minister has already been granted permanent exemption from personal appearance due to health reasons.
Other co-accused in the case, including former Punjab Assembly principal secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti, were present in court in person.
Duty Judge Nadim Gulzar recorded the attendance of all accused individuals before adjourning the proceedings to the next scheduled date.
Advocate Javed Arshid Bhatti also represented Pervaiz Elahi during the hearing.
The reference was filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), accusing Pervaiz Elahi and several others of misusing authority and receiving illicit financial gains during the execution of development projects in Gujarat.
The court has already indicted the accused, and the upcoming hearing will focus on further proceedings of the trial.
The case is one of several corruption inquiries launched against Elahi in recent months, amid a wider accountability drive targeting political figures.