PTI Leader Hammad Azhar Granted 20-Day Physical Remand

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has handed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar over to police on a 20-day physical remand in the Jinnah House arson and vandalism case. According to reports, amid developments in the Jinnah House arson and vandalism case, Hammad Azhar was produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court under extremely tight security. He was brought into the court premises and courtroom in handcuffs, with his face covered with a cloth.

For security reasons and citing procedural requirements, all media personnel and journalists were asked to leave the courtroom during Hammad Azhar’s appearance. The investigation team and police told the court that Hammad Azhar’s physical remand was required for further investigation into the Jinnah House arson and vandalism case, preparation of the site map, and recovery of other evidence.

After hearing arguments from both sides and their respective lawyers, the judge reserved the decision for a short while. Later, while announcing the reserved verdict, the court ordered that Hammad Azhar be handed over to police on a 20-day physical remand.

Earlier, Hammad Azhar’s mother had filed a habeas corpus petition before the Lahore High Court through her lawyer, Barrister Abuzar Suleman Khan Niazi. The Inspector General of Police Punjab, CCPO Lahore and other senior police officials were named as respondents in the petition. The petitioner argued that Hammad Azhar was being detained without any legal justification, which was a violation of the Constitution and the law.

Barrister Abuzar Suleman Khan Niazi, counsel for the petitioner, had stated that Hammad Azhar was taken into custody from Multan two days earlier. However, despite several hours having passed since his detention, he had not yet been produced before any relevant court.

The petition sought a declaration that Hammad Azhar’s detention was illegal and requested the court to direct the police and other law-enforcement agencies to immediately recover him and produce him before the court. It may be recalled that police had taken PTI leader, former Member of the National Assembly and former president of PTI Punjab, Hammad Azhar, into custody from Multan.

According to police sources, Hammad Azhar was detained within the jurisdiction of Multan and was subsequently handed over to Lahore Police for further legal proceedings.