Zafar Qureshi tried to dictate court: Moonis Elahi's counsel

Lahore (September 06, 2011) District & Sessions Judge Mujahid Mustaqim acting in the capacity of Special Judge Banking Court had adjourned the NICL case hearing on the FIA’s request till September 17. Earlier in today’s proceedings Moonis Elahi’s lawyer during his arguments urged the Honourable Court that if the FIA was being unduly facilitated to appoint a new prosecutor and present a new challan then his client should also be given the due relief denied to him thus far. 

He further argued that in Zafar Qureshi’s request to the Honourable Court nowhere had he asked for a full month to complete the investigation. Moonis Elahi’s lawyer strongly objected to the language used by Zafar Qureshi in his letter addressed to the Honourable Court. He said that the tone and tanner of the said letter was such that it seemed Zafar Qureshi was giving orders to the court and doing so was in his jurisdiction. 

He said that according to contents of the said letter the Honourable Court was nothing more than a post office. The Honourable Court reprimanded the FIA officials for continuously changing the agency’s representative in the course of the proceedings. The Honourable Court instructed the FIA to appoint a permanent representative to be present in the proceedings. On the Court’s inquiry that how much more time did the FIA require to complete the investigation, the FIA officials forwarded an application requesting for one month to complete the task.

Later talking to the media, Moonis Elahi’s lawyer Rai Bashir Ahmad accused Zafar Qureshi of taking undue advantages of the importance given to him by Supreme Court. He further accused Zafar Qureshi of leveraging the Supreme Court’s importance to dictate his own orders to the Lower Courts. He alleged Zafar Qureshi of blackmailing the courts and said that this was neither in the judiciary’s interest nor in the interest of the public. He said that Moonis Elahi to express his faith in the country’s law and the judiciary’s capacity to dispense justice had returned voluntarily from England which had no extradition treaty signed with Pakistan. A large number of Pakistan Muslim League’s supporters were present in the court throughout the day’s proceedings where senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Moonis Elahi was brought in an armored vehicle amid high security.

Moonis Elahi moves Supreme Court for early hearing of review petition

September 5, 2011

Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League and son of senior federal minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, on Monday filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking an early hearing of his pending review petition.

He prayed the court to fix his review petition along with his stay application for September 9 to meet the ends of justice. The petitioner contended that if his review petition was not heard along with his stay application at an early date, he would suffer irreparable losses and injury to his person as well as reputation, as the hearing of these matters after completion of wrongful, biased, incorrect and inimical investigation would render the fate of these matters before the court infructuous and thus the ends of justice would be frustrated.

On August 18, Moonis filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict of August 8 wherein the apex court reassigned the NICL scam investigation to Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Additional Director General Zafar Ahmed Qureshi. On August 8, the Supreme Court had quashed the suspension order of Zafar Qureshi and directed him to resume his task in recovering the looted money. The court had directed Zafar Qureshi to carry out investigation of the case and asked him to complete the investigation of the cases expeditiously. In his review petition on August 18, Moonis contended that the Supreme Court’s decision of reassigning the NICL scam investigation to Zafar Qureshi was made without hearing his contentions, reservations and point of view, which was against the norms of justice. Thus, he had contended that the decision needed to be reviewed in the best interest of justice.

An Open Letter by Moonis Elahi

An Open Letter by Moonis Elahi

Addressed to the President, Prime Minister, Parliamentarians, National Newspapers and Tv Channels in Response to Rehman Malik’s Tableeghi Jamaat Comments

Lahore (30 July 2011) Moonis Elahi the incarcerated central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has sent a strong worded message to the president, prime minister, parliamentarians, editors and bosses of national dailies and television channels in condemnation of the recently made insinuating remarks of Federal Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik about Tableeghi Jamaat -a trans-national Islamic spiritual reformation movement. The following is the full text of his letter:

Dear Sir/s

I did not feel as much perturbed on being framed in a false case as I felt after hearing the Federal Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik’s poisonous comments on the role of Tableeghi Jamaat, made recently in London. Although, this is not the first time that Mr. Malik has come in the lime light for his ‘loose talk’ but this time his comments have not only caused great pain to the Muslims of Pakistan but have also proven to be a source of bitter anguish for the global Muslim community at large. As a Muslim, I feel that it is my religious right and obligation to respond to Mr. Malik’s sullied and irresponsible comments before somebody out of his mind starts taking such nonsensical comments seriously.

As we all know that Tableeghi Jamaat is a trans-national religious movement which primarily aims at Islamic spiritual reformation by working at the grass roots, reaching out to Muslims across all social and economic spectra. This movement has promoted peace and harmony across the world and has always condemned evils like terrorism and sectarianism in unequivocal terms. It is a fact known to everyone that despite holding the second largest congregation of Muslims in the world after Hajj one cannot find a single incident where any of the organizers or participants has ever been allowed to bring fire arms at the congregation venue. It is also an acknowledged fact that millions of Tableeghi Jamaat members have travelled the world far and wide and never has any foreign government or an important foreign dignitary ever held their activities questionable. Even after the 9/11 debacle in the aftermath of which names of many extremist individuals and outfits came to the fore at no occasion was Tableeghi Jamaat branded among them.

Contd. on Page 2

I have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Rehman Malik’s comments have not only hurt the sentiments of the Muslims of Pakistan but have also rendered an irreparable blow to the country’s reputation abroad. If by associating the despicable terms of ‘terrorism and brainwashing’ with a peaceful Islamic movement like Tableeghi Jamaat, Mr. Malik’s intent was to please any worldly power then he should know that casting such aspersions mean nothing to those who place Allah Above All.

I appeal the Honorable President and Prime Minister of the Islamic Democratic Republic of Pakistan to immediately take serious notice of the Federal Interior Minister’s irresponsible remarks. I also appeal the two Excellencies to contemplate promulgation of immediate steps to prevent repetition of such unfortunate incidents in future. And last but not least, I also appeal to the country’s high-ups to particularly ‘Control’ Mr. Rehman Malik from hurting the nation’s sentiments and from repeatedly embarrassing the country and in this particular case the Muslim Ummah by his reckless and irresponsible statements.

Humbly Yours,

Moonis Elahi

Court Frame charges against Moonis Elahi

The Special Banking Offences Court frame charges against Moonis Elahi, a PML-Quaid leader accused of involvement in the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam case of 32 crore here on Saturday.

The advocates, including Amjad Pervaiz and Misbah Ur Rehman, appeared before the court as Moonis’ counsel. Moonis lawyers asked to cite verdicts to get witness statement copies but court rejects their plea.

The court summoned the witnesses on June 16. The judge said that the case would be decided in accordance with the law and constitution.

Moonis has been accused of having involvement in a transaction of Rs 220 million with Mohsin Habib Warraich, the main accused in the Rs 3.3 billion NICL scam.
Earlier, the lawyers pleaded that the challan of the case was incomplete as they had not been given the statements made by witnesses against Moonis.

Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Imran Khan agree to cooperate on national issues

Ch. Shujaat Hussan, Imran Khan and Moonis Elahi

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Q and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf have agreed on cooperating with each other over crucial issues and continuing relationship in greater national interest. 

The decision was taken by the top leaders of both parties, who met at the residence of PTI chief Imran Khan on Saturday. PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Zaheeruddin and MPA Chaudhry Moonis Elahi were members of the PML-Q delegation, which called on Imran Khan. The PTI leaders — Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed — also attended the meeting. The meeting discussed in detail current political situation in country, and the challenges facing the federation. It was of consensus view that an alliance among political forces was a need of the hour to overcome challenges confronting the country and foil designs of elements causing chaos in the country. Both the parties also agreed on opposing any move to change the blasphemy law and working for Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat. 

Sources said both parties believed the PML-N was not playing the role of a genuine opposition, and it was supporting the government on almost all crucial issues. The performance of both provincial and federal governments came under discussion during the meeting. 

Later, talking to journalists, Ch Shujaat said the meeting discussed all national issues. He said the PML-Q wanted an alliance with the political forces which could block the way of any conspiracy against the country. 

Praising the PTI chief’s role as a politician, he said Imran’s abilities had been acknowledged even by his opponents, beyond any doubt. Imran said on the occasion the country’s situation was deplorable under the incumbent rulers and said the PML-Q was the only party which was playing the role of a true opposition in parliament. He said the political figures shared views with each other and this process would also continue in future as well. About the alliance with the PML-Q, Imran said at present there was only one alliance in the country which was between Zardari and Nawaz, who were protecting each other. 

Meanwhile, talking to The News, PML-Q Secretary Information Senator Kamil Ali Agha said the meeting discussed all core issues. He said the possibility of an alliance between the PML-Q and the PTI during local bodies’ polls or general elections was not discussed during the meeting. However, the issue might come under discussion in future sittings, he added.

2009 A Year of Doom and Gloom for Punjab: Moonis Elahi

Lahore, December 31, 2009: In 2009, Punjab faced the worst period of economic depression and poor governance since independence and the people of the province spent the entire year in a severe environment of doom and gloom due to an incompetent provincial set up.

This was stated by Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League in a meeting with party workers on the eve of the outgoing year. He said that the N League government of Punjab despite attaining power through an election kept its undemocratic agenda at full throttle and ransacked all democratic institutions including the assembly and the local governments throughout 2009.

Moonis Elahi cited the atta and sugar crises occurring in 2009 and the unfortunate deaths of 22 Pakistanis while standing in flour rows as the darkest examples of the N League government’s poor performance in Punjab. Moonis Elahi while lashing out at the poor performance of Punjab government in 2009 also pointed out at the alarming increase in unemployment, inflation and crimes in the province. He further said that various previously unheard of anti-people steps and tactics were also freely employed by the N League government in the ending year including use of brute police force to suppress and torture farmers, teachers, students, clerks, industrial workers and other underprivileged sections of the country’s largest province. Commenting on Punjab’s poor economic performance in 2009, Moonis Elahi reminded the party workers present in the meeting that in 2007 Punjab was a financially surplus province but in 2009 due to the present Punjab regime’s incompetence, Punjab had come to the verge of financial bankruptcy.

He strongly criticized the “Punjab for Sale” policy where valuable provincial assets were being auctioned to service the huge provincial debts amassed by an incompetent “Neelaam (auction) League” government in the last two years. Moonis Elahi also quoted President Zardari’s comments made in a speech at Larkana where he sounded highly critical of the poor performance of his coalition partners in Punjab. The senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League said that the internal tug of war between the centre and Punjab had greatly hampered progress in the province and had given the criminal and terrorist elements an open field to target the innocent in the year 2009. Moonis Elahi urged party workers to stand united and prayed for better times in 2010 for Punjab and Pakistan.

A letter to Moonis Elahi

(In Response to Moonis Elahi Participation in Political Confrence in Germnay)

Dear Moonis Elahi,

I am from Multan and have done M.A. in Political Science. I share this feeling with a lot of my other friends that Pakistan can only win its case in the currently hostile international arena if young politicians with a fresh approach to our problems start representing their country at the international level. We have tried and tested most of our so called senior politicians and we know that they are not capable to represent us.

We have recently witnessed that Asif Ali Zardari on his recent visit to the White House was a major disappointment. I was amazed to see a 19 year old Bilawal Bhutto sitting next to him in the meeting with Pres. Barak Obama.

Apart from being the son of Shaheed Mohtarma Benezir Bhutto what other qualification did Bilawal Bhutto have to be seated there? I fail to understand. On the other hand I was impressed to hear that you have been invited to a World Political Leaders Conference in Germany. Now that makes more sense and is more relevant.

Instead of becoming a show piece like Bilawal Bhutto I am glad that you have taken a different route. This is more important and useful for Pakistan rather than what Bilawal Bhutto is doing.

Moonis Elahi Blog News: Asif Ali Zardari Seeks PML-Q Support on Punjab

By Mayed Ali - The News (09-09-08)

LAHORE: President-elect Asif Zardari has reached out of PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain and former Punjab chief minister Pervez Elahi for ‘evolving’ collective strategy on the future of Punjab, The News has learnt.

The newly elected president called on the Chaudhrys Sunday at their Lahore residence, inviting them to the presidential oath-taking ceremony today (Tuesday) at Islamabad.

The presidents elect expressed desire for cooperation between the two parties for furthering mutual political interests.

During conversation, Asif Zardari hinted at seeking PML-Q’s support in Punjab as the coalition in the province was sailing through rough waters.

The recent exchange of fire between the governor and the PML-N ministers in Punjab is led to a void between the Pakistan Peoples Party and the PML-N. Sources said it was, perhaps, this reason the new president is urgently looking for new partners. However, sources in the PML-Q revealed the Chaudhrys were not quite enthusiastic about the proposals tossed by the presidency in view of anger against the PPP within the family. It was also learnt the Chaudhrys might not attend the function because of their political engagements. The idea of joining hands with the PPP is not welcome in the family, keeping aside political dividends that might comes art of any understanding.

On the other hand, the PML-N is yet to take advantage of the situation. None of the Sharifs has taken the initiative for making up political differences with the PML-Q leadership in a changed political dynamics. Despite the fact that the PPP is gradually becoming more aggressive towards the PML-N, the PML-N leadership is not responding.

Sources in the party say the PML-Q has assumed an important role in Punjab. The voting pattern the recent presidential elections has comforted the party leadership a bit with 36 members voting for the party candidate, Syed Mushahid Hussain.. though the PML-Q’s original strength in the Punjab stood at 84, the party leaders were wary of the actual numbers. It was expected the party had around 21 members intact. Sources revealed the last ditch effort by Moonis Elahi fetched the party another 15 members, majority of women MPAs, in the run-up to pools.

At the moment, the PML-Q believes the party has a major chunk in its lap with the rest of group, 48, divided between the PML-N and PPPP. The leadership thinks neither of the two opponent parties will be in a position to survive without the PML-Q’s support if the coalition breaks. More interesting is the fact the PML-Q splinters are divided as such that no single group can stake a claim on the party parliamentary leader’s office. In case the dissidents were together, they could have claimed that office from the original PML-Q. Till that, office remains with the PML-Q, the rest of the party members cannot vote against the set party line in the event of no confidence move against the incumbent CM.