Hammad Azhar arrested in Jinnah House case, 48 cases emerge
Lahore Police has formally arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar in connection with the Jinnah House attack case.
Police produced Azhar before the court on Monday as details of the cases registered against him also emerged. Officials said he is wanted in 48 cases across Punjab.
Of the total cases, 18 were registered within Lahore, while 17 cases include terrorism-related provisions. Police said investigations into the cases have now started following his arrest.
The development comes after Azhar remained unavailable to investigators for an extended period. Police had previously declared him a wanted person and conducted several raids to locate him.
Police detail 48 cases against Hammad Azhar
According to police officials, Azhar is named as an accused in the Jinnah House attack case. Authorities have also linked him to dozens of other cases registered in different areas.
Police said 18 of the 48 cases fall within the jurisdiction of Lahore Police. Seventeen cases, meanwhile, were registered under provisions related to terrorism.
Officials said Azhar’s absence had delayed the investigation and prevented authorities from taking him into custody earlier. After he was declared wanted, police teams carried out repeated efforts to find him.
His arrest has now allowed investigators to begin questioning him about the cases. Police are expected to examine his alleged role in the cases as part of the ongoing investigations.
The Jinnah House case is among the most prominent cases linked to the events surrounding the May 9 protests. Azhar is facing allegations in connection with the attack, according to police.
Mother seeks recovery through Lahore High Court
Meanwhile, Hammad Azhar’s mother has approached the Lahore High Court, seeking his recovery and production before the court.
The petition names the Punjab inspector general of police, Lahore Capital City Police Officer and other relevant authorities as respondents. Barrister Sulaiman Khan Niazi filed the petition on her behalf.
According to the petitioner’s lawyer, Azhar was taken into custody from Multan two days earlier. The lawyer asked the high court to direct authorities to recover him and present him before the court according to law.
The petition also seeks details of the cases registered against Azhar. His family wants authorities to provide the relevant records so the legal proceedings can be properly examined.
The development has added another legal dimension to Azhar’s arrest. While police are proceeding with their investigations, his family has sought judicial intervention regarding his custody.
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Court seeks legal clarification
The Lahore High Court has also directed the relevant authorities to provide clarification regarding the request linked to Azhar’s arrest and production before the court.
The court’s direction comes as police and Azhar’s family present different legal concerns surrounding his detention. Further proceedings will determine how the matter moves forward.
Police maintain that Azhar is wanted in multiple cases and that his arrest is part of ongoing investigations. His legal team, meanwhile, has approached the court seeking his recovery and access to details of the cases.
The case is likely to remain under close attention as investigators proceed with questioning and the courts examine the legal petitions filed on his behalf.
