Hammad Azhar’s police remand extended by 7 days in Jinnah House attack case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday allowed police to keep PTI leader Hammad Azhar in physical custody for another seven days in a case related to the 2023 attack on Jinnah House.

Azhar was produced before the court after expiry of 21-day physical remand. Police requested more time, saying they needed to recover his mobile phone and SIM, which investigators consider important evidence.

The prosecution asked the court to grant another seven days of remand. Azhar opposed the request and questioned the need for further detention. He stated that he had already spent 21 days in physical remand despite maintaining that he was not present when the alleged incident took place.

The PTI leader said that he had not been allowed to meet his lawyers or family members. The court initially reserved its decision on the prosecution’s request before later approving another seven-day remand.

The case relates to the May 9, 2023 violence, when Jinnah House, the residence of the Lahore corps commander, was attacked and vandalised during protests following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Sarwar Road police have registered cases against several PTI leaders and workers over the incident, including charges related to the attack on Jinnah House.