Court extends Hammad Azhar’s remand by 7 days

A Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday extended the physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar by another seven days in the Jinnah House attack case.

The former federal minister was presented before ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill after completing 21 days of physical remand. Police sought additional custody to recover his mobile phone and SIM card, which prosecutors described as important pieces of evidence.

During the hearing, Azhar questioned the need for further remand, arguing that he had already spent 21 days in police custody despite maintaining that he was not present at the alleged incident. He also compared the duration of his detention with the remand periods granted to suspects in murder cases.

Azhar further complained that he had previously been denied access to his lawyers and family members. His family had also raised concerns over the alleged restrictions on meeting him during police custody.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision on the prosecution’s request. It subsequently approved another seven days of physical remand for the PTI leader.

Separately, the Lahore High Court (LHC) disposed of a petition filed by Azhar’s mother and wife over the alleged denial of access to him. A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi heard the matter.

During the proceedings, a Punjab government lawyer informed the court that Azhar had been permitted to meet his mother and wife. The law officer also said that he would be allowed to meet his lawyer at the trial court on Monday.

The bench disposed of the petition after taking note of the government’s statement.

According to his family, Azhar was arrested on September 5. Police had said the following day that they were unaware of his arrest, prompting his mother to approach the LHC. He was subsequently presented before an ATC on September 7.

The case relates to the May 9, 2023, protests that followed the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. PTI leaders and workers were booked for allegedly attacking and vandalising Jinnah House, which also serves as the residence of the Lahore corps commander.

Azhar, the son of former Punjab governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, has also been declared a proclaimed offender by several anti-terrorism courts in cases linked to the May 9 riots.

He had remained in hiding following the incidents and reappeared in public on May 22, 2024, after nearly a year. He had previously evaded arrest during a raid by the Counter-Terrorism Department at the PTI secretariat in Islamabad.