Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab president and former Member of the National Assembly Hamad Azhar has been arrested by police.
According to police sources, Azhar was taken into custody in Multan and subsequently handed over to Lahore Police, which will proceed with legal action in the cases registered against him.
Wanted in 9 May Cases
Police sources said Hamad Azhar is facing multiple cases related to the events of May 9, 2023, and had been wanted by law enforcement authorities in connection with these cases. According to the sources, he has been named as an accused in more than 50 cases.
Azhar had remained out of the public eye for an extended period before his arrest. Police sources said he briefly appeared in public following the death of his father but went into hiding again afterward.
Court Had Declared Him a Proclaimed Offender
Due to his continued absence from court proceedings, an anti-terrorism court had declared Hamad Azhar a proclaimed offender. The court had also issued perpetual arrest warrants against him.
Following his arrest, Azhar was handed over to the investigation wing, where further questioning and investigation into the cases related to the May 9 incidents are expected to take place.
Sought Protective Bail from High Courts
Meanwhile, Hamad Azhar had approached the Lahore High Court and the Peshawar High Court seeking protective bail in the cases registered against him.
Azhar previously served as president of PTI Punjab and led the party at the provincial level. However, following the registration of cases against him, he resigned from his party position.
