LAHORE: Lahore district and sessions court on Friday sent anchorperson Imran Riaz to jail in a corruption case after the Lahore based journalist was arrested late night on Thursday.
Riaz appeared before Judicial Magistrate Imran Abid, presented by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE). According to the ACE, Riaz and his father stand accused of securing a contract for Dharabi Lake in Chakwal at an inflated price.
The first information report (FIR) filed against Riaz invokes Sections 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 161 (public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect to an official act), and 162 (taking gratification, in order by corrupt or illegal means to influence public servant) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Additionally, it invokes Section 5(2)47 (criminal misconduct) of the Prevention Of Corruption Act, 1947. During the hearing, the ACE requested a 14-day physical remand for Riaz.
One of Riaz’s lawyers, Rana Maroof, argued that the case against his client was unlawful and false, maintaining that Riaz’s father had never served as a government official. Maroof contended that Riaz had not harmed the national treasury, stating, “Imran Riaz was arrested like a terrorist.”
Riaz, speaking during the hearing, claimed, “These people came to my house. I surrendered to them. I told them not to enter my home. They made me sit in the car and then entered my home. They searched my home for 15 minutes.” He asserted that authorities were lying about the contract, stating, “The previous contract was Rs11 million. We took this contract for an upwards of Rs4m.”
Expressing dismay, Riaz criticized the authorities’ actions, suggesting that his arrest was politically motivated. He insisted on the innocence of his father and demanded his removal from the FIR.
Riaz expressed faith in the judiciary and vowed to continue fighting against corruption. He also raised concerns about his alleged abduction, emphasizing that his whereabouts had remained unknown for a period.
Following his release, a FIR regarding Riaz’s alleged abduction was lodged on May 16 at Sialkot Civil Lines police station, filed by his father, Muhammad Riaz.
