In yet another meeting in jail, Shujaat attempts to convince Elahi to quit PTI

• Shujaat makes another attempt to bring Elahi into PML-Q again.   
• Salik Hussain and Wajahat Hussain were also present at huddle.  
• "Unity is in the best interest of them", Shujaat tells Elahi.

In a bid to convince Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi — who has been lingering in prison since June 1 in connection with multiple cases registered against him — to return to the fort of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), the party’s head and his cousin Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain met the incarcerated leader in Camp Jail, Lahore on Sunday, sources revealed.

According to the well-placed sources, Shujaat’s son Chaudhry Salik Hussain and his brother Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain were also present during the meeting.

Elahi was taken into custody by anti-corruption officials from near his residence in Lahore on June 1 in the Rs70 million corruption case related to the embezzlement of development funds allocated for the Gujrat district. Since then, the former Punjab chief minister was re-arrested multiple times after being released on the orders of the relevant courts.

During the meeting, Shujaat inquired about the health of his cousin. Matters of mutual interest and current political situation and other matters were discussed, the sources added.

Shujaat apprised Elahi that they had been united in politics, adding that it is in their best interest.

The sources privy to the matter also revealed that the PTI president is ready to jump ship but his son, Moonis Elahi, is the major hurdle for Parvez Elahi to rejoin the PML-Q.

It is pertinent to mention here that the PML-Q had suspended the basic party membership of Elahi for talking about the possibility of the party's merger with the PTI in January this year. On March 7, the former Punjab chief minister was formally appointed as the PTI president.

The senior politician urged the former CM to convince Moonis and his family for rejoining the PML-Q.

Ahead of Shujaat’s visit, a medical team also arrived at the camp jail and conducted a medical examination of the former chief minister.

The sources added that the senior politician will meet Elahi again in the next few days. 

Shujaat hints at Elahi’s departure from PTI

Last month, Shujaat visited Elahi in Camp Jail, Lahore, amid the mass exodus of leaders from the former ruling party.

Officials, who had knowledge about the visit, shared that Salik Hussain was also present at the meeting. Shujaat inquired about his cousin’s health and discussed the evolving political situation in the country after the May 9 riots, the sources said.

Talking exclusively to Geo News, the PML-Q president confirmed the report about his meeting with Elahi in the prison.

“Parvez Elahi is part of our family, hence I visited him [in jail],” he added. Giving details, the senior politician said, Elahi’s health condition was not good and his feet were also swollen.

When asked if Elahi is rejoining the PML-Q, Shujaat said: “Parvez Elahi is already in our party.”