FIA has no evidence against Moonis and he was implicated in the scam purely on political grounds

LAHORE

THE Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Punjab, on Tuesday once again failed to submit a challan against PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi, son of former Chief Minister Parvaiz Elahi, allegedly involved in the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) land scam. 

On Tuesday, Moonis was produced before Special Judge (banking offences) Abdul Rasheed amid tight security from the sub-jail of NADRA Rest House. 

The FIA officials once again sought further time for the submission of the complete challan against Moonis. On this, the court has directed the FIA to submit a complete challan on the next hearing, to be held on May 12. 

The court in its orders has also mentioned that if the FIA failed to submit a challan on the next hearing, the court will start trial on the available documents and will not allow the FIA further time for submission of the challan. Previously, the court had rejected the bail application of Moonis. 

Counsel of Moonis is of the view that the FIA has no evidence against Moonis and he was implicated in the scam purely on political grounds. He said Moonis had nothing to do with the scam, as all the cases were lodged against the family of Mohsin Habib warriach. He pointed out that alleged looted money had already been returned to the NICL. Counsel reiterated that Mohsin Warriach had submitted all the embezzled amount of Rs. 1.68 billion to Secretary Commerce. As the whole amount mentioned in FIR 24/10 has been returned then to involve his client in the scam is an illegal act. 

Moonis Elahi's case adjourned till May 3

LAHORE: The Banking Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of Moonis Elahi’s case till May 3.

FIA failed to present the challan and requested the court to give ten days to present the complete challan (subpoena), hence, the court adjourned the case's hearing till May 3.

Talking to the media outside the court, Moonis Elahi said the impression of him being saved from the federal government was wrong. He expressed his hopes regarding the court’s decision.

Lahore High Court seeks Moonis Elahi case record from FIA.

SPECIAL Judge (banking offences) Abdul Rasheed on Monday issued notice to FIA Punjab for April 25 on a bail petition moved by PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi allegedly involved in the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) land scam.

On Monday, Muhammad Iqbal Bhatti, counsel for Moonis, filed post-arrest bail application in the court. He contended that the FIA had no evidence against Moonis and he was implicated in the scam purely on political grounds. He said Moonis had nothing to do with the scam as all the cases were lodged against the family of Mohsin Habib Warriach. He pointed out that looted money had already been returned to the NICL and requested the court to release Moonis on bail. At this, the court summoned record of the case from the FIA Punjab on April 25.

NICL Scam: Zafar Ahmed Qureshi removed from the post of Additional Director-General of the FIA

ISLAMABAD: A spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior has said that National Police Foundation Managing Director, Zafar Qureshi, has been relieved from his additional assignment in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). 

The spokesperson said that in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, Zafar Qureshi, an Officer of Police Group, was deputed to investigate certain cases pending inquiry in FIA. On completion of his additional assignment in FIA, the agency Director General, Malik Muhammad Iqbal has requested the interior secretary to relieve him from his additional responsibilities.

Zafar Qureshi had completed the investigations of the cases assigned to him and has submitted the reports for onward transmission to the court.

Supreme Court admits Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Moonis Elahi's pleas for Zafar Qureshi's removal

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday admitted for hearing three applications moved by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, says a press release issued by the PML-Q on Thursday.

The applications seek court orders to remove FIA additional director general Zafar Qureshi from the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam probe and start an investigation against him.

In the applications, Chaudhry Shujaat and Moonis Elahi say the main accused in the NICL scam, Habibullah Waraich and family, has deposited all required amount to the FIA, but Moonis Elahi, his wife and other family members were being harassed by Zafar Qureshi.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice 

Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani directed Zafar Qureshi to submit reply on the application filed by the Chaudhry family, the press release says.

During the proceedings of the case, the chief justice said the Chaudhrys belonged to a respectable family and the investigators should keep this fact in mind while dealing with them. 

The court said any investigation into the bank accounts, which are not linked to transactions vis-a-vis the NICL scam, would be against rules.

Chaudhry Shujaat and Moonis Elahi say Qureshi had levelled baseless allegations against the applicants and had stated that he was facing death threats from the Chaudhrys. 

Senator Wasim Sajjad, the counsel for Ch Shujaat, told the court during the proceedings that the Waraich family had deposited the entire required amount with the FIA and no amount was liable, but the FIA officials were still harassing Moonis Elahi and his family members.

“Investigation into other accounts of Ch Moonis has been also launched. His accounts have been frozen, while the credit cards of his children are also being sought for investigation purpose that is uncalled for,” he added. He said the Chaudhry family was being targeted on political grounds. A large number of parliamentarians and PML-Q workers were present on the occasion in the courtroom no. 1 of the apex court building. 

Prominent of those were PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, PML-Q parliamentary leader in National Assembly Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, and others.

Chaudhrys belonged to a respected family: Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry

Islamabad (14-04-2011) The supreme court on Thursday admitted three applications moved by PML President and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Ch Moonis Elahi in which the court was requested to remove FIA additional director general Zafar Qureshi from the NICL scam investigation and rather an investigation may be started against him. In these applications, it wax prayed that the main accused in the NICL scam, Habibullah Waraich & family, had deposited all the required amount with the FIA but despite the fact of the recovery, Moonis Elahi, his wife and other family members were being harassed by Qureshi while a probe has been launched into the bank accounts of Moonis Elahi which was uncalled for. 

The apex court bench comprising chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani directed Zafar Qureshi to submit reply to the application by the Chaudhry family. During the proceedings of the case, the chief justice said that the Chaudhrys belonged to a respected family and the investigators should take care of the fact while dealing with them. The court also said that any investigation into those bank accounts which are not linked to transactions vis-à-vis the NICL would be against rules. In their applications, the Chaudhry family had pleaded that Qureshi had leveled baseless allegations against the applicants and even he had stated that he was facing life threats from the Chauhdrys. It was stated that Chaudhrys belonged to a respectable family and could not even think of any such plan as described by Qureshi. It was prayed that Qureshi’s baseless allegations should be investigated and he should be removed from investigation of the case. Senator Wasim Sajjad, the attorney of Ch Shujat, told the court during the proceedings that the Waraich family had deposited all the required amount with the FIA and no amount was liable but the FIA officials were still harassing Moonis Elahi and his family members. Besides, he added, investigation into other accounts of Ch Moonis was also launched, his accounts have been frozen, while the credit cards of his children are also been sought for investigation purpose which was uncalled for. 

He said the Chaudhrys were basically businessmen and thus it was natural to have heavy amounts in their accounts for business purpose. He said the Chaudhry family was being targeted on political whims which should be stopped. A large number of parliamentarians and PML workers were present on the occasion in the courtroom No.1 of the apex court building. Prominent of those were PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, PML parliamentary Leader in the national assembly Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, President PML KP Engineer Amir Muqam, MNAs Sh Waqas Akram, Marvi Memon, Prince Nawaz Allai, Pir Aslam Bodla and others.

Punjab government told to beef up security for Moonis Elahi

LAHORE, April 13: The interior ministry has asked the Punjab government to beef up security for PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi owing to threats to his life.

According to an interior ministry’s letter, “credible information has been received that there is a threat to the life of Moonis and extra precautions at the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) rest house in the Cantonment area may kindly be taken up.

“The security personnel employed there may also be checked.”

The Punjab government has not taken any stringent arrangement for the security of the PML-Q leader despite concerns from the Federal Investigation Agency.

Zafar Qureshi is misusing the name of the Supreme Court in Moonis Elahi's Case

Lahore (13-04-2011) Kamil Ali Agha, central Information secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League has drawn the Supreme Court’s attention towards the acts of a certain FIA official that amount to serious contempt of the apex court. Kamil Ali Agha has also accused this particular official of implicating the women members of a political family in baseless and fabricated cases by using the Supreme Court’s name. The PML Information Secretary has said that after miserably failing to prove Moonis Elahi’s alleged involvement in the NICL case this official has now started victimizing Moonis Elahi’s wife and other female members of his family. According to Kamil Ali Agha, not only has this official investigated the personal accounts of these ladies but has also gone way beyond his limits by being instrumental in freezing Mrs. Moonis Elahi’s personal account especially when Moonis Elahi’s name is not mentioned in the FIR. 

The PML Information Secretary has appealed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to take notice of this official’s persecution of women and to stop him from misusing the Supreme Court’s name.

Kamil Ali Agha has alleged Zafar Qureshi of misusing the name of the Supreme Court verbally as well as in his official letters so as to influence fellow officers. He has urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to reprimand Zafar Qureshi and direct the concerned to take measures for undoing these wrongs.

Zafar Qureshi is using his office to carry out a personal agenda of revenge: Kamil Ali Agha

Lahore (12-04-2011) Kamil Ali Agha, Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League has said that Additional Director General FIA Zafar Ahmad Qureshi despite all his tactics has failed to find any proof against Moonis Elahi in the 14 day physical remand. He has said that Zafar Ahmad Qureshi despite his machination has also visibly failed in establishing Moonis Elahi’s link in the NICL case. The settlement between NICL and Mohsin Warraich coupled with Mohsin Warraich’s written affidavit clearly stating that Moonis Elahi has no concern in the alleged deal are facts which have frustrated Zafar Qureshi. 

Kamil Ali Agha accused Zafar Qureshi of stooping as low as implicating the women family members of Moonis Elahi to cover up for his own failures. In a press statement issued in Lahore today the PML central information secretary Kamil Ali Agha has accused ADG FIA Zafar Qureshi of unleashing a personal agenda of vengeance against Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and his family. He has said that Zafar Qureshi has opened a front against Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to avenge the denial of perks and privileges to him during the govt. of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in Punjab. 

Kamil Ali Agha called Zafar Qureshi a puppet playing at somebody else’s behest. He condemned the ADG FIA for using his office to carry out a personal agenda of revenge. He also urged the judiciary to take notice of Zafar Qureshi’s continuous violations of the country’s constitutional and penal courts besides the ethical and moral norms. Kamil Ali Agha accused Zafar Qureshi of employing all below the belt tactics to besmear the Chaudhry Family specially after failing to find them at any fault in the cases he himself has created. In his sheer frustration Zafar Qureshi has now started manufacturing new stories on a regular basis, alleged Kamil Ali Agha.

Zafar Qureshi is using the state machinery to besmear the political image and credibility of the Moonis Elahi

Lahore (11-04-2011)  Kamil Ali Agha, Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League and Chaudhry Zaheeruddin PML Parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly have unanimously condemned the Additional Director General FIA Zafar Ahmad Qureshi over his latest round of false accusation leveled against Moonis Elahi. They have said that despite all out efforts the FIA has failed to come up with even and iota of proof against Moonis Elahi and yet is continuing with a malicious and baseless media trial against him. 

The two PML leaders have flayed Zafar Ahmad Qureshi for his vindictive, unfair and biased behavior and have accused him of providing the media with false and contrived charges against Moonis Elahi. They have strongly condemned Zafar Qureshi’s latest attempt at implicating the women family members of Moonis Elahi. The two leaders have jointly slated the Additional Director General FIA Zafar Qureshi for abusing the state machinery to besmear the political image and credibility of the Chaudhry family. They have said that the FIA’s malicious and baseless campaign against Moonis Elahi has no credibility in the eyes of the public as well as the courts.

Moonis Elahi shifted to rest house after life threat

Lahore (April 01,2011) At the end of his physical remand, Moonis Elahi, central leader Pakistan Muslim League was sent on a 14 day judicial remand to the Camp Jail, Lahore by the judicial magistrate, Mohammad Irfan Basra. Chanting slogans of Moonis Elahi’s innocence, Asif Bhatti a die-hard supporter of Moonis Elahi tried to commit suicide by jumping from the 2^nd floor of the district courts but was grabbed in time by lawyers and workers present there. 

Moonis Elahi’s lawyer, Iqbal Bhatti told the court that despite keeping Moonis Elahi in custody for 14 days and using all fair and foul tactics in the book the FIA had been unsuccessful in extracting any incriminating evidence or clue against him. He said that this was a clear proof of Moonis Elahi’s innocence and of him being subjected to extreme political victimization. Moonis Elahi was today brought to the district courts 4 hours after the close of courts. He remained in the armored vehicle for 25 minutes after reaching the district courts as the court room was locked and the magistrate had gone home. 

The Pakistan Muslim League workers who had started assembling in the district courts from early morning kept chanting slogans and breast beating against the unfair trial of their leader throughout the day. Many emotional scenes were witnessed at Moonis Elahi’s arrival and the PML workers kept chanting fiery slogans during the court proceedings.  

Moonis Elahi's remand extended for 4 days

Lahore, March 28 2011 A local court in Lahore on Monday extended the physical remand of detained Pakistan Muslim League leader Moonis Elahi on FIA’s request for further 4days. The Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Irfan Basra has directed FIA to present Moonis Elahi again on April 1. 

Moonis Elahi told the court that he was under detention for the last 10 days and had fully co-operated with the FIA but so far he had not been shown any proof or evidence against him. He said that he had repeatedly declared that he had neither received any money nor he was liable to pay anyone and he had no concern with the alleged deal. The defence lawyer Iqbal Bhatti prayed to the court that his client was being un-necessarily detained and since the FIA had not made any progress despite obtaining physical remand 3 times before therefore any further remand was not required. He said that his client was innocent. 

Prior to Moonis Elahi arrival in the district courts the Punjab Rangers and police had undertaken strict security measures and vehicles were not being allowed to enter the district courts. On his arrival thousands of highly motivated PML workers and leaders gave Moonis Elahi a rousing welcome. The armored vehicle bringing Moonis Elahi to the court was once again covered with rose petals. Moonis Elahi on stepping out of the vehicle smiled at his supporters and waved to them. The PML workers chanted slogans calling Moonis Elahi the future Chief Minister and against the false case in which he was being tried.

Remand of Moonis Elahi extended for 4 days

Lahore (March 24, 2011) A local court today extended the physical remand of detained Pakistan Muslim League leader Moonis Elahi on FIA’s insistence for four more days. At the end of his 6 days remand he was brought after a delay of six hours from the court’s scheduled time. The court yard of the Lahore district courts was jam-packed with the Pakistan Muslim League leaders, workers and supporters waiting since morning for their leader’s one glimpse and enthusiastically raising slogans and waving party flags and placards.

On arrival the roof of the armored car bringing Moonis Elahi was colored red with the buffet of rose petals showered by a highly charged crowd. On the FIA’s request for a further seven days remand the court required the FIA to apprise that if nothing incriminating against Moonis Elahi had been found in the previous six days remand then what more did the FIA expect to achieve in further seven days. The FIA officials informed the court that the investigation was still in progress.

Moonis Elahi on this occasion again categorically denied his role in the alleged transaction and said that since he had no knowledge of it therefore the question of returning any money did not raise. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers informed the court that there was no evidence against their client and the FIA was over-stretching a politically motivated case for cheap publicity. Meanwhile a highly emotional yet disciplined pro-Moonis crowd gathered outside the court room continued to raise slogans declaring Moonis Elahi as the future chief minister and slating Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik. 

Remand of Moonis Elahi extended for three days

Lahore (March 21, 2011) Moonis Elahi the senior central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League on the FIA’s request was granted another three day remand by the Judicial Magistrate in Lahore today. His defence lawyer said that in the absence of any proof or testimony against Moonis Elahi the FIA had detained him purely on vindictive and prejudicial grounds. Earlier when Moonis Elahi was brought to the court a large number of the Pakistan Muslim League leaders and workers welcomed him with flower petals and garlands. When a highly confident Moonis Elahi stepped out of the police van the PML workers chanted various slogans including “chief minister Moonis Elahi we are with you”.

During the hearing Moonis Elahi’s lawyer, Mohammad Iqbal Bhatti strongly opposed the request for further remand of his client and accused the FIA Additional Director General, Zafar Qureshi of falsely implicating Moonis Elahi in the NICL case on account of his personal prejudice and enmity. He drew the court’s attention to the fact that when Moonis Elahi was abroad he was summoned to appear as a witness on January 27, 2011 and when his lawyer informed that his client would be returning home in a week’s time to record his statement strangely and without any tangible reason Moonis Elahi’s arrest warrants were issued and he was declared an absconder. He said that the FIA tried its level best to prevent Moonis Elahi’s return to the country and when after being bailed by the Sind High Court Moonis Elahi appeared several times to record his statement the FIA officials turned a deaf ear to his requests. Moonis Elahi’s lawyer accused the FIA of misguiding the court. He said that there was no reason to award Moonis Elahi a further remand as he was ready to appear whenever summoned.

Legal requirements were not fulfilled by the FIA against Moonis Elahi: Kamil Ali Agha

Kamil Ali Agha has expressed dissatisfaction over the way things were being handled in the matter of Moonis Elahi case. Alleging Zafar Qureshi, the additional director general of the FIA, of playing a biased role against Moonis Elahi, Kamil Ali Agha said the PML-Q wanted the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of Qureshi’s ‘partial’ role. Criticizing Minister for Interior Rehman Malik and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Kamil Agha said “Rana Raymond” from Lahore and “Malik Davis” from Islamabad were behind the entire “biased” action against Chaudhry Moonis Elahi.


He said legal requirements were not fulfilled by the FIA against Moonis Elahi, who had already been declared innocent by different officials. He said on the initiative of the PML-N, Rehman Malik was busy in taking unjust actions against the PML-Q leader. He also stated that Ch Moonis Elahi courted arrest and all the rumours being spread against him by the Punjab government proved baseless.

Moonis Elahi sent on three-day remand

Lahore, (March 18, 2011) Moonis Elahi, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League has been today granted a three day remand by the Judicial Magistrate Ehtasham Sadiq. Moonis Elahi was brought to the district court in an armored car amidst heavy police security. Many emotional scenes were witnessed on his arrival at the court. The highly charged workers of the Pakistan Muslim League showered flowers and raised thunderous slogans in their leader’s favor. Responding to the FIA’s request for a seven day remand Moonis Elahi’s lawyer Mohammad Iqbal Bhatti pleaded that his client was being politically victimized and his name was neither in the NICL case FIR and nor had he opened a fake account. He informed the court that the FIA had given Moonis Elahi a questionnaire comprising seventy questions which was duly answered and handed back to the FIA.

Moonis Elahi’s lawyer further informed the court that the FIA carried out all its activities while his client was abroad and soon after his return Moonis Elahi contacted the FIA officials on four occasions to record his statement but on each occasion the investigating agency refused to entertain his request. Moonis Elahi’s lawyer accused the FIA ADG Zafar Qureshi of victimizing his client and causing him unnecessary aggravation. He said that it was not a criminal trial where a remand was necessary and the FIA was already in possession of all the required documents.

Moonis Elahi : This is my country and I will never run away to Jeddah or England.

Lahore (March 17, 2011) Moonis Elahi, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League while voluntarily courting his arrest at the Lahore FIA office has categorically denied corruption charges leveled against him and has said that by Allah’s grace he will be honourably acquitted. Those people should be ashamed of themselves who had said that the PML top brass met President Zardari in connection with my case. I have full faith in the court but none in the FIA and similar organization. Persecution is nothing new for my family. Like my elders, I am also not scared of persecution. This is my country and I will never run away to Jeddah or England. When Rehman Malik arrested Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Chaudhry Parvez Elahi I was in England from where I spoke with Chaudhry Shujat Hussain who told me not to worry as it may be my turn in times to come. 


Moonis Elahi looked visibly confident when he stepped out of his car outside the Lahore FIA office where he was greeted by a very large presence of highly charged party workers who chanted slogans assuring Moonis Elahi of their love and support. There are reports of rallies staged in protest against Moonis Elahi’s arrest throughout Punjab including Multan, Gujrawnala, Sialkot, Wazirabad, Kamokey, Bhai Phero, Phool Nagar, Gujrat, Okara, Sheikupura, Kasur and Sarogdha. 


The biggest protest rally was brought out at the Kamla Chowk Lahore where thousands of Moonis Elahi’s supporters turned out. The protesters staged a sit in and burnt tyres. Early addressing the media outside the FIA Office Moonis Elahi challenging his accusers said that they would get tired of their unfair persecution but he would not deter from his fight against injustice. They cannot keep me in as I am absolutely innocent, I am not involved in any corruption and if they prove me wrong I will pay them double the amount they have accused me of, Moonis Elahi declared. He refused to disclose the names of the real actors behind the false case against him saying that his elders had told him to withhold their names till the right time. 


Earlier when Moonis Elahi left his house to court arrest at the FIA office he was sent off by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. Moonis Elahi was accompanied to the FIA office by Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, Rasikh Elahi, Shafay Hussain, Maj. (R) Tahir Sadiq, Chaudhry Ameer Hussain, Amir Sultan Cheema, Rizwan Mumtaz Ali, Seemal Kamran, Majida Zaidi, Amna Ulfat, Sajid Bhatti, Mian Azhar Javed, Chaudhry Yousuf Ahad, Haji Hanif, Idrees Hanif and a large number of party workers and supporters.

Moonis Elahi, Lord Nazeer held a meeting

“I am here’. Moonis Elahi remained in the FIA office for two hours

Lahore (February 25, 2011) Moonis Elahi the central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League remained in the FIA office in Lahore on Friday for two hours to record his statement but the FIA officials did not despite repeated demands produce the FIR as well as the proofs of the baseless accusations leveled against him. Later talking to the media outside the FIA office, Moonis Elahi said that he had great respect for the law and the judiciary and he had come to the FIA office to face the baseless charges trumpeted against him with the objective of besmearing his image.


He said that he reached Lahore yesterday and had come to the FIA office the following day to record his statement. He said that he had told the FIA authorities to provide him with the FIR or proofs, if they had any against him so that he could properly answer them but the FIA officials did not heed his demand. Answering a question, Moonis Elahi said that he was a political personality and there were political players behind the case who would soon be exposed.

PML-Q not to let N leaders flee again: Moonis Elahi

LAHORE: PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi has said that his phenomenal and extraordinary reception in Lahore was in fact agitation of the masses against “conspiring and dishonest ruling elite in the Punjab”.

He said this while addressing charged party leaders and workers on his arrival at the Allama Iqbal International Airport from Karachi on Thursday. He said that his family had given a strong challenge to their arch rival PML-N that he, along with the party men, would not give another opportunity to the PML-N top leaders to run away from the country.

Moonis Elahi, while appreciating the presence of a large number of party workers on his arrival in the provincial metropolis, said that it boosted his morale and now he would face, what he called fake or politically motivated and fabricated, cases against him.

He said that his warm welcome established the fact that the PML-Q still commanded the following of the major portion of the country’s population. The PML-Q leader said he belongs to the family which knows the tactics of facing its enemies without leaving the battlefield, while they will not provide another opportunity to their enemies to run away to Jeddah.

Moonis Elahi said that he along with his loyalists would soon expose the faces of the conspirators against him in the NICL scam.“We belong to a party which respects the courts while there is a political party that attacked the courts and believes in this practice firmly.”

Earlier, thousands of charged workers of PML-Q, along with the party leaders, received Chaudhry Moonis Elahi on his arrival at the Lahore Airport.

The party workers were carrying party flags, banners and posters having pictures of Moonis on them. They also chanted slogans in favour of their party leader and against the government ‘for hatching a conspiracy against Moonis to defame PML-Q and Chaudhries.’

The PML-Q members showered rose petals on Moonis when he reached the arrival lounge and chanted slogans in his favour. They kept on dancing to the beat of drums before the arrival of Moonis.A major number of the party members came from Hafizabad, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Kharian, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Kasur and Sargodha.

Moonis Elahi returns, vows to respond to accusers

KARACHI: Moonis Elahi Wednesday said he has no connection with the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) scam case. “I am being dragged into this case,” he said while talking to media persons at the Karachi airport.

These accusations were a way to dishonour him, his family and his political party, and he came back to answer his accusers, said Moonis, who arrived in Karachi to face corruption allegations in NICL scam case. Moonis Elahi, son of former chief minister Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, was an accused in the NICL scandal case and had been granted protective bail by the Sindh High Court.

About Zafar Qureshi, the chief investigation officer of NICL case, Moonis alleged that one of his (Qureshi) brothers wanted to become the Chief Secretary of Punjab during Pervaiz Elahi’s term as Chief Minister and another brother wanted to get a PML-Q ticket.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani Visited the House of Chaudhry's to seek co-operation

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.

N League has a history of using Punjabis as human shield in its nefarious power game: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (December 15, 2010) Moonis Elahi the senior central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League has said that the people of Punjab are currently the biggest victims of the ongoing target killings wave in the country. Referring to Monday’s statement of the Sind Home Minister and the recent Human Watch Pakistan’s report citing the murder of 12 educators of Punjab origin living in Baluchistan in 2010 alone, Moonis Elahi has expressed his serious concern and dismay at the unfortunate rise in target killing incidents against Punjabis settled in other parts of the country.

Moonis Elahi has accused the incumbent Punjab government of failing to protect Punjabis within Punjab and without on account of its incompetence and lust for power. He expressed these views today in Lahore during a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League workers belonging to his Gujrat provincial assembly constituency.

Moonis Elahi said that the people of Punjab were going through the worst time in their lives under the present Punjab government. He said that the present Punjab government on account of its poor policies and due to its lust for power had left the people totally vulnerable and unprotected against rising terrorism, crimes, poverty, unemployment and now target killings.

Moonis Elahi accused the Punjab government of not only failing in protecting the lives of the people of Punjab but also their rights. He said that this fact was evident from the present government’s role in thrusting various unjust decisions on the people of Punjab including the NFC Awards, heavy power and gas load shedding schedules and the RGST accord.

Moonis Elahi said that the N League had a long history of using the people of Punjab as a human shield in its nefarious power games. Moonis Elahi said that the target killings of Pakistanis including Punjabis were highly condemnable and it was incumbent upon the governments of Sind and Baluchistan to ensure the security and well being of all Pakistanis including the people of Punjab living there.

The biggest victims of the present inflation nightmare are the people of Punjab : Moonis Elahi

Lahore (December 10, 2010) Moonis Elahi the senior central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League has slammed the incumbent Punjab government for the unprecedented 160% increase in prices of essential commodities in the province in the last one year. He has called the over 85 million Pakistanis living in Punjab as the biggest victims of the country’s current inflation nightmare and has accused the Punjab government of miserably failing to save the people from the price juggernaut. Moonis Elahi expressed these views today in Lahore during a meeting with a delegation of senior provincial party members.

Moonis Elahi

Moonis Elahi blamed the N League administration in Punjab of deploying the provincial resources for the consolidation of their political fiefdom at the expense of the poor and the helpless. He said that the incumbent Punjab government’s misdeeds had helped push the rates of crimes and suicides in the province to alarming heights and the poor were made to sell their children to make their ends meet in the last three years.

Moonis Elahi said that Punjab was in the grip of a ruthless food mafia which was being fully patronized by the current rulers of Punjab. He accused the Punjab government of an abject failure in purging itself of corruption, nepotism and extravagance. 

Moonis Elahi said that the prices of essential commodities in Punjab including vegetables, meat, poultry etc had artificially been increased much before the September floods by the reigning food mafia. He accused the Punjab government of skimming huge public funds in the name of its bogus Roti scheme, food stamps programme and Danish schools etc. Punjab which was until 2007 a financially surplus province with a healthy 8% growth rate is today struggling under an unbearable 160% price hike due to the N League government’s sheer incompetence and corruption, accused Moonis Elahi.

Moonis Elahi flayed the Punjab government’s policies aimed at undermining the value and importance of teachers

Lahore (October 05, 2010) The trials and tribulations of Punjab’s teaching community have increased manifold since 2008. Instead of giving them their rightful respect and due dignity teachers in Punjab are being persistently harassed, humiliated and hounded by the provincial government. On World Teachers’ Day the fact that Punjab’s teaching community protested in unison against the provincial government’s highhandedness proves the deplorable handling of education sector in the country’s largest province. These views were expressed by Moonis Elahi, the senior central leader of Pakistan Muslim League in his message released at the occasion of World Teachers’ Day celebrated through out the world on October 5 to acknowledge the role of teachers in the society.

In his message, Moonis Elahi flayed the Punjab government’s policies aimed at undermining the value and importance of teachers. He said that it was on account of the hostile and anti-teacher policies of the N League government that Punjab’s literacy rate had plummeted to 50% in 2010 from a healthy 62% in 2007.

He warned that the gross mishandling of the education sector and the ill treatment being meted out to educators in the province would have highly adverse effects on the society. How are the students expected to respect and honor their teachers if the government itself is hell bent on mauling the teachers’ dignity? He asked. In his communiqué, Moonis Elahi assured his party’s complete support to the protesting teachers and demanded the provincial government to withdraw its regressive and anti-education policies and decisions including handing over government owned educational institutions to boards of governors appointed on political basis and in complete violation of rules.

Shahbaz Government giving bogus cheques to families of martyrs and terror victims: Moonis Elahi

Lahore: Moonis Elahi, the senior central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has voiced serious concern at the news of  the bouncing of Shahbaz Government’s cheque handed over to the family of the two brothers tragically lynched in Sialkot and has called the dishonoring of the cheque as yet another inhuman and callous act of Shahbaz Administration. Moonis Elahi expressed these views in a meeting with party members in Lahore today.

He said that in the two and a half year rule of N League in Punjab there were countless such incidents where terror victims and their families were given bogus cheques by the rulers. He called it a blatant fraud with innocent public and said that it revealed the true face of the people currently in power.  Moonis Elahi held Shahbaz Government as fully responsible for the currently deplorable economic condition of Punjab and alleged that other than the cheques to terror victims the cheques amounting in billions of rupees given to Punjab Government contractors were also repeatedly being dishonored.

Moonis blamed the incumbent Punjab Government for destroying the provincial economy and for selling government assets at throw away prices instead of taking steps for the province’s economic revival. He expressed his serious concern over the fate of cheques being issued by Punjab government in the flood affected areas and warned Shahbaz Administration of severe consequences of issuance of bogus cheques to the unfortunate victims of the floods.

Steep decline in Punjab’s literacy rate due to rulers’ incompetence and insincerity: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (September 09, 2010) Moonis Elahi the senior central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has strongly criticized Punjab Education Department’s poor performance of last two and a half years. Quoting the 2010 Global Monitoring Report of an international service organisation in which Punjab’s literacy rate has been shown taking a steep plunge, Moonis Elahi has held the Shahbaz Government as fully responsible for this disappointing performance. According to Moonis Elahi the World Bank and the UN reports of 2007 had acknowledged that Punjab’s literacy rate had jumped to 62% under Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s pro education policies.

Moonis Elahi alleges Shahbaz Government’s incompetence and vested interests behind the sharp decline in Punjab’s literacy and enrollment rates since 2008. He has also dubbed the Punjab Government’s controversial decision of appointing boards of directors with sweeping powers in government owned colleges as nothing short of villainy with future generations. Moonis Elahi made these comments during a meeting with members of Pakistan Muslim League Education Wing in Lahore today.

He alleged that the majority of appointments in these boards of directors were politically motivated and therefore counterproductive. He said that these boards were as controversial and useless as the dozens of task forces existing in Punjab since 2008 and which had been unable in proving to date their efficacy and utility. Moonis Elahi reiterated his firm commitment to the concerns and interests of students, teachers and parents of the province in the backdrop of the continuous anti-education policies of the Shahbaz administration. He said that the present Punjab rulers’ interest in the growth of education and the bright future of the students could be assessed from the fact that Punjab Education Department had been running without a minister since 2008.

Whether natural disasters or terrorist attacks Punjab Government miserably fails to act on advance warnings: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (September 02, 2010) Moonis Elahi, senior central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has alleged that Punjab under the burden of Shahbaz Government’s disastrous financial and administrative policies had submerged in deep and murky waters much before the floods began their devastation. Moonis Elahi has blamed the self proclaimed “Khadim-e-Ala’s” poor crisis management skills and his self serving “flood politics” as main reasons for the colossal loss of life and property in Punjab during and in the post floods phase. Moonis Elahi has called for Shahbaz Sharif’s resignation in the wake of his failure to protect people’s lives and well being during floods and against terrorist attacks. He has said that Pakistanis are a brave people and our true heroes are the floods stricken Pakistanis and the Pakistani individuals and institutions helping their brethren in this hour of dire need. Moonis Elahi made these comments during a meeting with party workers from Lahore at his residence today.

Moonis Elahi in his speech was highly critical of the poor law and order situation under N League in Punjab. Citing the tragic suicide bombing incidents at Data Darbar and Karballa Gamay Shah in Lahore, he said that if Shahbaz Sharif could not ensure security to religious places in his own family constituency then how he could ensure the security of the rest of the province. Criticizing Shahbaz administration’s poor response to advance warnings against floods as well as acts of terrorism in the province resulting in huge losses of life and property in both the cases Moonis Elahi demanded immediate resignation of Shahbaz Government and said that Shahbaz Government had lost all moral and political grounds to continue and with every passing day its legitimacy was becoming more questionable. Quoting a Punjab Government official’s statement where he had put the number of flood victims to whom Punjab Government had so far provided food at around only 250,000 people, Moonis Elahi remarked that it was an open admission of failure on their part as the number of flood affected and displaced in Punjab was in several millions. Moonis Elahi praised the flood affected Pakistanis for their exemplary fortitude in crisis and dubbed individuals and institutions working relentlessly for the relief and rehabilitation of their compatriots in trouble as the Nation’s true heroes.

Shahbaz Sharif is busy playing “flood politics” at government expense: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (August 30, 2010) Moonis Elahi, senior central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has said that Shahbaz Government should immediately be restricted from squandering huge public funds and resources desperately required for flood victims on personal publicity. While Shahbaz Sharif is busy playing “flood politics” at government expense the teeming millions struck by the country’s worst floods have been left to the vagaries of floods and the whims of N League’s MNAS and MPAS who are sitting on flood aid like serpents. Most of the aid for Punjab flood victims is not reaching the true beneficiaries. The announcement of Rs. 20,000 per flood victim family is nothing more than a practical joke. The minimum compensation per family should be Rs. 500,000. Moonis Elahi expressed these views today in Lahore during a meeting with party leaders.

In his address, Moonis Elahi strongly condemned the current publicity campaign of the Punjab Chief Minister and dubbed it as a criminal use of several million public rupees on personal promotion. He remarked that at a time when there were countless Pakistani men, women and children waiting for help the wastage of huge public funds on self or family promotion was a highly condemnable act of Shahbaz Government. He said that despite all its “flood politics” coming out of the tax payer’s pocket Shahbaz Government had failed to make any worthwhile impression on the mass mind.

Moonis Elahi alleged that because of his abuse of power and government resources there was now an even greater resentment against the incumbent Punjab Chief Minister than before. He said that presently his ability to handle crises was being seriously questioned by not just the general public but also by the Punjab CM’s own cabinet colleagues. Moonis Elahi said that at a time when the country and the province were going through an unprecedented trial Shahbaz Government was deliberately shunning the call for an emergent Punjab Assembly session on flood as it feared a massive criticism of the house.

After Punjab cabinet ministers’ show of no confidence the Chief Minister has no moral grounds to continue: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (August 26, 2010) Moonis Elahi, the senior central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has said that the self proclaimed “Khadim e Ala” of Punjab has no moral grounds to continue as the provincial chief executive in the wake of an open expression of no confidence in him by his own cabinet ministers.

Moonis Elahi has also demanded a high level judicial enquiry into the Punjab Senior Minister’s allegation of digging an illegal canal for the Chief Minister’s lands which has consequently rendered thousands of families homeless. He has also demanded a probe in the Punjab Senior Minister’s charge that the Chief Minister did not consult him once while ordering breaches of embankments during floods in the province.Moonis Elahi expressed these views in a meeting with party members in Lahore today.

Moonis Elahi alleged that various Punjab Cabinet members had been complaining for long against the Chief Minister’s one-man rule and his brain less policies but the recent statement by his own Law Minister against his boss’s fondness for extra-judicial killings and parading of bodies of suspects on roads and the increasing criticism of other cabinet ministers including the Punjab Senior Minister’s latest allegations were clear evidences of the Chief Minister’s dwindling popularity among his own cabinet colleagues.

Moonis Elahi said that the Punjab Chief Minister’s waning acceptance could further be gauged on account of his failure to solicit any worthwhile public donations during floods despite extravagant government funded media campaigns and highly expensive chopper visits. He said that the recent floods had fully exposed the incompetence of the incumbent Punjab Chief Minister and made the cracks in his government highly visible.

Moonis Elahi said that Punjab had not witnessed the likes of the recent floods and the current incompetent government in the last 100 years. Moonis Elahi directed Pakistan Muslim League and Tehrik e Quaid workers present in the meeting to stand by the flood victims in this time of dire need and continue efforts for the alleviation of their miseries and hardships.

Happy Independence Day

A Message to Youth on Independence Day: Moonis Elahi

PML will stand with the flood affected of Rajanpur, D G Khan, Layyah, Rojhan and other districts: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (July 23, 2010): Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has directed the leaders and workers of Pakistan Muslim League and Tehrik e Quaid to undertake all out efforts for the relief of the victims of recent floods and torrential rains in Punjab. He has urged his party members to whole heartedly participate in the flood relief activities irrespective of political affiliations and go beyond the call of duty to help the unfortunate victims. Moonis Elahi gave these instructions to Tehrik e Quaid coordinator Nasir Mehmood Gill on telephone today.

Moonis Elahi

Moonis Elahi who is currently visiting the US in his message slammed the Punjab Government’s apathy to the problems of the flood affected and expressed his bitter anguish at the fact that the Punjab Government had not made any preparations for the natural disaster despite prior information provided by the MET department with the help of satellite images. He said that whether it was acts of terrorism or natural calamities the incumbent Punjab rulers had failed to avert these disasters or control their impact despite early warnings.

Moonis Elahi expressed his remorse and grief at the unfortunate loss of precious human lives and property due to floods in Rajanpur, D G Khan, Layyah, Rojhan and other affected districts and reiterated his party’s commitment with the flood victims in their time of need.

People have the right to know about the massive corruption of Punjab ministers : Moonis Elahi

Lahore (June 29, 2010) The reshuffle in portfolios is not a remedy to the rampant corruption and inefficiency of the N League ministers in the Punjab provincial cabinet but actually an eye wash. The self-proclaimed Khadim e Aala instead of taking action against his party’s ministers in the light of secret reports has rewarded them. The corruption reports of his ministers for jails and local governments reveal gross financial and administrative irregularities. These were the comments of Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League on yesterday’s reshuffle of portfolios in the Punjab cabine while talking to a delegation of party workers from Lahore today at his residence.

Moonis Elahi said that the cabinet’s role in Punjab was only cosmetic as all the powers and resources were usurped by the Chief Minister and his band of merry men. In the last two and a half years the number of Punjab cabinet meetings can be counted on finger tips which go to further prove the presence of a one man rule in the province. Moonis Elahi cited the recent comments of Raja Riaz, Punjab’s Senior Minister on the prevalence of corruption in the government echelons as a sure proof of the schematic skimming of Punjab’s resources by the ruling clique.

 He said that the province was running without full-time Health, Education and C &W ministers since 2008 and despite repeated public demands these slots had not been filled. Now instead of appointing capable individuals against these positions, Punjab’s autocratic Chief Minister has reshuffled cabinet positions to reward his most corrupt colleagues, alleged Moonis Elahi. He said that N League’s Punjab government had economically and socially ruined the province and forced the people to sell their children and commit suicides.