LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has granted police 20-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar in cases linked to the May 9, 2023 unrest.
Azhar was produced before the court by Lahore police shortly after authorities formally confirmed his arrest. He was reportedly taken into custody in Multan before being transferred to Lahore.
Police told the court that Azhar had been wanted in 18 cases registered in Lahore and had remained absconding for around three years.
Investigators are expected to question the PTI leader during the remand period before submitting a charge sheet to the ATC upon completion of the investigation.
Mother moves Lahore High Court
Meanwhile, Azhar’s mother approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking information about his detention and the cases registered against him.
The petition named the Punjab Inspector General of Police, Lahore Capital City Police Officer and other officials as respondents.
She asked the court to direct authorities to formally disclose the circumstances of Azhar’s arrest, provide details of the cases against him and ensure that he was presented before a competent court.
According to the petition, Azhar had been taken into custody from Multan two days earlier but had not initially been produced before a court.
May 9 cases
Police sources said Azhar, who had been declared a proclaimed offender, faces several cases stemming from the May 9 violence.
He had remained in hiding since being nominated in cases related to the unrest that erupted following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
Azhar served as a federal minister during the PTI government and later stepped down as president of the party’s Punjab chapter in
August 2024.
At the time, he cited restrictions on his movement and difficulties in accessing the incarcerated PTI founder as reasons for leaving the provincial party post.
The May 9, 2023 unrest saw PTI supporters attack and damage public property and military installations, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore, following Imran Khan’s arrest from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in a graft case.
The violence subsequently led to the registration of numerous cases against PTI leaders and workers across the country.
