Police arrest Imran Khan's nephew in Islamabad

Hassan Khan Niazi was taken into custody outside the Judicial Complex in the federal capital

Hassan Khan Niazi, the nephew and focal person of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, was taken into custody by police outside the Judicial Complex in Islamabad on Monday.

Niazi's arrest was related to clashes between PTI workers and Islamabad police during Imran Khan's court appearance in the Toshakhana case.

He was reportedly present at the scene when the former prime minister arrived at the Judicial Complex.

Also read: Court summons Imran on March 30 in Toshakhana case

Police sources said that Niazi was apprehended in G-11 near the Judicial Complex for his involvement in attacking law enforcement personnel and causing chaos in the federal capital.

They added that the PTI leader has been shifted to an undisclosed location.

تمام مقدمات میں ضمانت کے باوجود SP نوشیروان نے دہشت گردی عدالت کے باہر سے @HniaziISF کو اغوا کرلیا ہے۔ پولیس گردی کی انتہا ہوگئی ہے حسان نیازی وکیل جس کی ابھی عدالت نے ضمانت منظور کی ہے اسکو اغوا کرلیا ہے

pic.twitter.com/C3xTnUcKwF

— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 20, 2023

The arrest is part of an ongoing crackdown on PTI activists and supporters who police claim assaulted law enforcers while they were performing their duties in Islamabad.

The PTI, however, claimed that Niazi had been "abducted" by police officials as he had already obtained bail in all cases.

Barrister @HniaziISF has been abducted illegally by @ICT_Police’s SP Nausherwan despite being on bail.

We condemn this fascism and demand his immediate release.

The Chief Justice must take notice of this blatant violation of laws.

The Rule of Law in Pakistan stands suspended.

— Insaf Lawyers Forum (@InsafLawyersPK) March 20, 2023

Advocate Faisal Chaudhry has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for Niazi's release. The petition stated that "police abducted Hassan Niazi from the premises of the Judicial Complex after he obtained bail in the case."

PTI leader Farrukh Habib said Barrister Niazi was taken into custody from outside the anti-terrorism court and added that he was granted bail by the court before his arrest.

The anti-terrorism court had granted bail to PTI leaders including Niazi against surety bond of Rs50,000 till April 3.

The PTI chief and some senior party leaders were booked last week in a case of violence during a rally in Lahore, which claimed the life of a PTI worker.

Also read: Imran, others booked on terrorism charges

The first information report (FIR) was registered at the Race Course police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which also carried the legal provisions pertaining to murder, attempt to murder and other offences.

The other PTI leaders booked in the case included Fawad Chaudhry, Farukh Habib, and Hassan Niazi. They were accused of “threatening national security agencies” and “destroying the government and its institutions brick by brick”.

A PTI worker died during a police crackdown on the PTI rally to mark the start of the election campaign in Punjab on Wednesday. The PTI claimed that the deceased, identified as Ali Bilal alias Zil-e-Shah, died of police torture.

Police Spokesperson Syed Mubashir Hassan had said that “at least 11 policemen were injured in PTI activists’ torture”. He added two policemen were severely injured and moved to the General Hospital in critical condition.