Hammad Azhar's mother moves LHC for his recovery amid reports of arrest

On Monday, Hammad Azhar's mother filed a habeas corpus petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) in an effort to locate her son and ensure his recovery from alleged police custody. The day prior, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claimed that Azhar had been arrested. While officials from the Multan and Lahore police denied any knowledge of his arrest, party sources alleged that the PTI leader was taken into custody in connection with the May 9, 2023 riots.

Ishrat Azhar, Hammad Azhar's mother, filed the petition with Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi, naming several police officials as respondents. The petition expressed deep concerns for Hammad Azhar's safety and demanded that the LHC order the respondents to produce Azhar before a court or any other competent court, revealing the full legal basis for his arrest and detention.

The LHC was also asked to declare any detention of Azhar that did not comply with the Constitution and law as unlawful and without lawful authority. Azhar, the son of the late former Punjab governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, was sought by Lahore police in connection with an attack on the Government Officers' Residences (GOR-I) gate on May 9, 2023.

He is currently classified as a proclaimed offender by multiple anti-terrorism courts for failing to attend proceedings against him in relation to the May 9 riots. Reports of Azhar's arrest spread on social media over the weekend, with varying accounts about his custody and location. PTI had described his arrest as "the worst example of political vengeance and fascism," alleging that Hammad Azhar was being targeted on political grounds and that the government was recklessly using state power to suppress political opponents and silence the voice of PTI.