Lahore ATC disposes of petition by PTI leader Hammad Azhar’s mother, wife seeking permission to meet him

An anti-terrorism court in Lahore dismissed a petition on September 17 by Hammad Azhar's mother and wife, who sought permission to meet the PTI leader currently in police custody. The petition, filed by the family, aimed to allow Hammad Azhar, who is confined in a police lock-up, access to legal counsel. Judge Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan of ATC-IV found that the prosecution's counsel did not respond to Rule 26.28 of the Police Rules, 1934, which governs family and legal access for individuals in police custody.

The judge also noted that the petitioners had previously filed a similar case before the Lahore High Court, which was dismissed as withdrawn. Azhar, 42, was arrested in Multan earlier this month in connection with the May 9 riots and cases related to an attack on Jinnah House. The incident prompted the petitioners, Ishrat Azhar and Marriam Hammad, to approach the ATC against the police for allegedly denying access to Hammad Azhar. Their counsel, Abuzar Salman Niazi, argued before the ATC-IV judge.