LAHORE: A local court in Lahore on Tuesday rejected FIA plea seeking an extension in physical remand of former principal secretary to chief minister Punjab Muhammad Khan Bhatti. During the hearing, the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) urged the court to extend the physical remand of Muhammad Khan Bhatti as they have to do more investigation from the accused. After hearing arguments, the court rejected further extension in physical remand and sent Bhatti on jail on judicial remand. Mr. Bhatti has been wanted in a Rs800 million corruption case registered by the ACE.

Earlier it was reported that Muhammad Khan Bhatti was arrested from Sindh’s Matiari district. Later, his house in Gujranwala was also raided and a domestic employee was arrested. Earlier, Bhatti revealed details of ‘financial dealings’ with former federal minister Moonis Elahi. In his confessional statement before the anti-corruption team, Bhatti said he invested Rs100 million in Rahim Yar Khan’s sugar mills through Moonis Elahi. “I use to settle the ‘matters’ at Moonis Elahi’s home.”

The former principal secretary of former Punjab CM further said he bought sugar worth Rs250 million from Ghotki and the profit earned from the sugar mills trading was distributed among all.