ATC remands PTI's Azhar in 20-day custody

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday granted police a 20-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hamad Azhar in the Jinnah House attack case during the May 9 riots for further investigation and recovery of his mobile phone.

Azhar was arrested in Multan on Sunday and handed over to Lahore police for further proceedings. He was detained near the RA Bazaar area after being taken into custody from the home of a close friend. Azhar was wanted in several cases related to the May 9, 2023 protests and had been declared a proclaimed offender in a case involving an attack on the Government Officers' Residence (GOR) Gate.

The case proceedings were held before the Lahore ATC today amid tight security. ATC Judge Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan announced the reserved decision after hearing arguments on the prosecution's request for Azhar's physical remand.

The prosecution had sought Azhar's physical remand, maintaining that his custody was required for further investigation and to recover his mobile phone. However, Azhar's counsel opposed the remand request, arguing that Azhar had been implicated in a fabricated case and should not be handed over to police custody.

Earlier during the proceedings, the judge ordered media representatives and all other unrelated persons to leave the courtroom, allowing only lawyers and investigating officials to remain present.