An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday sent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar to jail on a 14-day judicial remand in a case related to the May 9 riots. The detained PTI leader was produced before the court after completing his physical remand, bringing his total physical remand period to 50 days.
The ATC had earlier extended the PTI leader's physical remand by 12 days on October 15. Reports indicate that Azhar was handed over to Lahore police following his arrest in Multan.
Police sources stated that the proclaimed offender was wanted in multiple cases registered in connection with the May 9, 2023 riots. Azhar, who served as a federal minister during the PTI government, resigned as the party's Punjab chapter president in August 2024.
At the time, he cited a "lack of access" to the jailed PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, along with restrictions on his movement, as reasons for his resignation. He had remained in hiding after being implicated in several cases stemming from the May 9 riots.
Thousands of supporters of the jailed party founder had stormed public properties and military installations, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore, on May 9, 2023, following the former premier's arrest. The unrest erupted after the PTI founder was taken into custody from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in a corruption case.
Legal experts suggest that the transition from physical to judicial remand marks a significant phase in the prosecution's case. The court has directed the jail authorities to ensure the security of the accused during his incarceration.
The defense team is expected to file for bail in the coming days as the judicial process continues. The May 9 incidents remain a focal point of political and legal discourse in Pakistan.
Several high-profile leaders of the party have faced similar legal challenges over the past year. The government maintains that the crackdown is necessary to uphold the rule of law, while the opposition party claims the cases are politically motivated.
As the case progresses, the prosecution is expected to present further evidence gathered during the extensive physical remand period. The court has scheduled the next hearing for early November, where the status of the investigation will be reviewed.
The political landscape in Punjab continues to be affected by these ongoing legal proceedings. Hammad Azhar, once a key figure in the party's provincial leadership, remains a central figure in the investigations surrounding the events of May 9.
The judicial process is being closely monitored by political observers and human rights organizations alike. The outcome of these trials is expected to have long-term implications for the party's organizational structure and its future political activities in the province.
The court's decision to send the leader to jail on judicial remand concludes the initial phase of police interrogation. The focus now shifts to the formal trial proceedings, which will determine the legal fate of the accused in the various cases registered against him.