ATC hands over Hamad Azhar to police on 20 day physical remand

LAHORE: An ATC Lahore on Monday approved a 20-day physical remand of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former finanance minister Hamad Azhar in the Jinnah house attack case.

Hammad Azhar was produced before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) today in connection with the Jinnah House attack case.

Police requested the court to grant physical remand of the accused. The investigation officer (IO) informed the court that Azhar had been a proclaimed offender in the case for a long time.

“He has now been arrested, and physical remand is required for further investigation,” police stated.

A spokesperson for the investigation police said Hammad Azhar was wanted in 18 cases and had been in hiding for three years.

Police formally announced his arrest earlier in the day, noting that the proclaimed offender was apprehended in accordance with legal procedures.

Authorities stated that a challan will be submitted to the ATC upon completion of the investigation.

On Sunday, former Member of the National Assembly Hammad Azhar has been arrested in Multan and handed over to the Lahore police.

Hammad Azhar was among the several PTI leaders who went into hiding following the May 9 riots last year when protesters took to the streets after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested from court premises.

Last year, the former minister announced his decision to surrender before the court in connection with the cases registered against him pertaining to the events of May 9.

According to police sources Azhar is wanted in connection with multiple cases related to the May 9, 2023 events.

Read more: Hammad Azhar announces surrender before court in May 9 cases

In January, 2026, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) declared seven individuals, including PTI leader Hammad Azhar, as proclaimed offenders (POs) in the May 9 attack on Club Chowk near the GOR Gate.

ATC Administrative Judge Manzer Ali Gill presided over the hearing and issued perpetual arrest warrants for Hammad Azhar, Zubair Khan Niazi, Akbar Khan, Masood Ahmed Subhani, Arsalan bin Basharat, Farooq Anjum, and Habib Ahmed.

The court took the action after the accused repeatedly failed to appear despite being granted time to do so.