ATC extends Hammad Azhar’s physical remand by 12 days 

An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has extended the physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar by another 12 days in a case related to the attack on Jinnah House during the May 9, 2023, riots.

ATC Judge Sardar Muhammad Akram announced the decision on Thursday after hearing arguments from the prosecution and defence. Police sought additional time to investigate the case and conduct a polygraph test on the PTI leader.

The case relates to the attack and vandalism at Jinnah House during protests that erupted following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. Sarwar Road police registered cases against several PTI leaders and workers over the incident.

During the hearing, the investigating officer alleged that Azhar had played a leading role in the attack. The officer asked the court to extend his physical remand to allow further investigation.

Azhar’s defence counsel, Sikandar Zulqarnain, opposed the request and questioned the progress of the investigation. He argued that the police had given conflicting statements about the recovery of evidence from his client.

According to the defence, police had claimed during an earlier hearing that a baton and other items had been recovered. However, the investigating officer subsequently told the court that the recoveries were still pending.

The lawyer questioned why the police needed further physical custody when the investigation had already continued for 37 days. He also argued that the first information report did not place Azhar at the scene of the alleged attack.

The defence counsel urged the court to send Azhar to judicial remand, maintaining that the police had failed to demonstrate sufficient progress to justify further physical custody.

The state prosecutor rejected the defence’s interpretation of the FIR. He argued that the complainant might not have seen Azhar because the suspect could have been standing some distance away from the scene.

Addressing the court, Azhar alleged that anti-terrorism laws were being used for political victimisation. He also accused the police of changing their position during the investigation, particularly regarding his alleged presence at the scene and the recovery of a baton and petrol bombs.

Questioning the allegations, Azhar asked whether anyone would keep such items for three and a half years. He maintained that he was in Bhakkar on May 9, 2023, and claimed that the police had not interrogated him for even a single day during his physical remand.

The PTI leader also requested that the court summon the complete investigation record, including an earlier forensic examination report. He said the documents would help establish the facts of the case.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge reserved the decision on the police request. The court later announced its ruling and granted a further 12-day extension in Azhar’s physical remand.