Court issues notice to ACE, seeks response in Imran Riaz arrest case

An anti-corruption court in Lahore issued on Saturday a notice to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) and sought a reply in the case of anchorperson Imran Riaz's arrest.

Judge Safdar Ali Bhatti took up the journalist’s bail plea, where Imran’s counsel contended that a false and baseless case was filed against his client.

The lawyer, while highlighting ACE’s failure to present any evidence against Imran, urged the court to order the journalist’s release on bail.

The judge then issued a notice to ACE and sought a response, adjourning the hearing till February 26.

Read: Missing journo returns home after four months

Imran was apprehended from his residence in Lahore on Friday. According to anti-corruption officials, both Imran and his father stand accused of acquiring the Tharabi Lake contract at a significantly reduced price.

A Lahore district and sessions court rejected yesterday the request for Imran’s physical remand by ACE, instead sending the anchorperson to jail on judicial remand.

Earlier, the FIA Cyber Wing issued notices for inquiry to journalists Asad Toor and Imran Riaz Khan, asking them to appear before the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad, and the Cyber Crime Wing office in Lahore, respectively.