An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday extended the physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal finance minister Hammad Azhar for another seven days in the Jinnah House attack case.
Sarwar Road police had registered cases against several PTI leaders and workers over allegations of attacking and vandalising Jinnah House, the residence of the Lahore corps commander, during the May 9, 2023 protests that followed the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Azhar was produced before ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill after the completion of his 21-day physical remand.
During the hearing, the prosecution sought another seven days of physical remand, stating that police needed to recover Azhar’s mobile phone and SIM, which it described as important pieces of evidence.
Opposing the request, Azhar questioned the need for further physical remand, saying he had already spent 21 days in custody in a case related to an incident in which he claimed he was not present.
He also raised concerns over being denied access to his lawyers and family members.
The court initially reserved its decision on the prosecution’s request and later approved a further seven-day physical remand of Azhar.
Separately, a two-member Lahore High Court bench headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi disposed of a petition filed by Azhar’s mother and wife regarding alleged restrictions on their access to him during police custody.
During the proceedings, a Punjab government lawyer informed the court that Azhar had been allowed to meet his mother and wife. The court was also told that he would be permitted to meet his lawyer at the trial court.
The bench disposed of the petition after taking the government’s statement on record.
Azhar was arrested on Sept 5, according to his family. His mother subsequently approached the Lahore High Court after police initially said they were unaware of his arrest. He was produced before an anti-terrorism court on Sept 7.
Azhar has previously been declared a proclaimed offender by multiple anti-terrorism courts in cases related to the May 9, 2023 violence.
He resurfaced publicly on May 22, 2024, after remaining in hiding for about a year following the crackdown against PTI leaders and workers in connection with the May 9 incidents.
