2007–2023: Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Moonis Elahi began his political career in 2007 when he led a
Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML (Q)) rally to
Islamabad. In 2008, Moonis ran for the
Provincial Assembly of Punjab for the first time as a candidate of the PML (Q) from two constituencies—PP-152 in Lahore and PP-110 in Gujrat—in the
2008 Pakistani general election. In 2010, Moonis was implicated in the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scandal involving Rs 320 million for allegedly involving in
real estate deals of NICL land. He initially faced legal challenges for not appearing before the investigation committee and was subsequently detained in March 2011. However, he was acquitted in October 2011 due to lack of conclusive evidence, and by 2012, all related charges were dismissed by the
Supreme Court of Pakistan. In 2020, an accountability court acquitted all involved in the NICL scandal, observing that the prosecution had failed to bring on record any evidence. In 2013, Moonis ran for the Provincial Assembly of Punjab as a candidate of PML (Q) from two constituencies—
Mandi Bahauddin and Gujrat—in the
2013 Pakistani general election and was successful in both. In 2017, the
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initiated a new investigation into Moonis Elahi's wealth; however, in January 2021, the NAB informed the
Lahore High Court that the pending inquiries against him and his family members had been closed due to a lack of evidence. In 2018, Moonis was elected to the
National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency NA-69 (Gujrat-II) in by-election held on 14 October. Subsequently, PML (Q) joined the PTI-led coalition after reaching an agreement. By 2019, tensions arose due to delays in fulfilling the terms of coalition agreement. In an effort to address these issues, Moonis became involved and met with then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, who sought PML-Q's continued support for Punjab Chief Minister
Sardar Usman Buzdar and resolved the issue. In July 2021, Moonis was given the portfolio of
Federal Minister for Water Resources during
Imran Khan's tenure as prime minister. He was sworn in as the federal minister on 19 July. In October 2021, the PTI–PML‑Q coalition government, acting on Moonis Elahi's recommendation, approved PKR 1.3 billion for Phase II of the Gujrat Industrial Estate. Construction began in 2022 after the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) acquired 200 acres of land in 2021. In 2023, under the provincial interim set-up the PSIC withdrew the project notification.
2023–present: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf In February 2023, Moonis left PML (Q) and joined the
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) along with his father
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and other PML (Q) members due to political rifts with the president of PML (Q),
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. In July 2023, in his absence from the country since December 2022, a murder case was lodged against Moonis Elahi with Mangowal police station, Gujrat. In September 2023, the Mangowal Area Magistrate issued Elahi's arrest warrants and proclamation orders. In 2024, after turning down the first application against these orders the Gujrat District and Sessions Judge deciding on a review application remanded the appeal to the Mangowal Area Magistrate for decision. In March 2024, the
Lahore High Court (LHC) permitted Moonis Elahi to participate in the by-elections. This decision followed an earlier ruling by an appellate tribunal of the Lahore High Court, which had denied the nomination papers of PTI leaders for the general elections. He lost the election of PP-158 Lahore-XIV to a PML-N candidate. In November 2025, due to lack of evidence
Interpol rejected the
Government of Pakistan's request to extradite Moonis Elahi from
Spain and officially closed the case against him. This decision came after two years of multiple Red Notice requests by the
Federal Investigation Agency,
National Accountability Bureau, Anti-Corruption Establishment, and
Punjab Police to Interpol in politically motivated cases filed against Moonis Elahi. Moonis is the founder of PML Build Kalabagh Dam Movement and advocates for the development of
Kalabagh Dam. Moonis is also credited with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for the upgrade of their hometown Gujrat from district to division level status. == Personal life ==