LHC sets deadline for TV anchor’s recovery

Gives Punjab IG until Sept 13 to produce Imran Riaz

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday gave the Punjab IGP till September 13 to recover missing anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, granting yet another extension.

LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti was hearing Khan's father's plea seeking the recovery of his son, whose whereabouts remain undisclosed since his arrest on May 11, 2023, from Sialkot Airport.

Read CJ orders resolving ‘all issues’ in anchor-person’s release

The Punjab IGP informed the court that favourable progress has been made towards the missing anchorperson's recovery. Stating that "good news" would be delivered within 10 to 15 days, he sought further extension in time to produce Khan.

The court remarked that an extension is being requested yet again, there should be some progress as well.
The high court granted an extension of six days while directing the IGP to meet with Khan's father and legal time at 5pm on Wednesday (yesterday).

The court had earlier given the authorities till July 25 to produce the missing anchorperson but no hearing was held on the designated date reportedly due to the bench's availability. This was an extension from earlier deadlines of May 22 and May 30.

The court had directed all law enforcement and intelligence agencies to work together to ensure his recovery.

The anchorperson, a staunch and vocal supporter of ousted PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his policies, was arrested on May 11 reportedly by the police, in the aftermath of May 9 riots.