Imran Riaz arrest: Punjab Police seeks 7-day physical remand

Lahore: Punjab Police has sought seven-day physical remand of Anchor Person Imran Riaz, who was arrested from Lahore Airport, here on Wednesday.

As per the details, Riaz was detained at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Tuesday night when he was leaving for Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Footage of the arrest, which showed the journalist dressed in Ihram, went viral on social media.

Later, Nishtar Town Police produced him before Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Kamran Zafar. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Riaz has been accused of breach of trust. It invoked Section 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

During the hearing today, the police requested for the seven-day physical remand of Riaz. The prosecutor said that the anchor person borrowed Rs 0.25 billion from the complainant but did not return the money.

Meanwhile, Riaz’s lawyer Mian Ashfaq alleged that the case against his client is fake. He said that the complainant was the polling station agent of Maryam Nawaz.

The judge reserved the decision after hearing the arguments of the parties.

Plea filed in Lahore High Court

Earlier, Riaz’s lawyer Azhar Siddique filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking details of the First Information Report (FIR) arresting the anchor person. It is yet to be scheduled before a bench for hearing.

PTI condemns Imran Ria arrest, demand immediate release

Meanwhile, the PTI called Riaz’s arrest “absolutely reprehensible” and demanded his release.

PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat said he was at a loss for words and strongly condemned the arrest.