An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has handed PTI leader Hammad Azhar over to police on a 20-day physical remand in the Jinnah House attack case.
ATC Judge Malik Abid Hussain announced the decision after hearing arguments from both sides.
Police had requested Azhar’s physical remand for further investigation into the May 9 violence.
The prosecution told the court that Azhar is a nominated accused in the Jinnah House case. Investigators need his custody to collect further evidence, it said.
Prosecutors also sought a photogrammetric test of Azhar. They said investigators wanted to recover a mobile phone allegedly linked to the unrest.
The prosecution further requested access to social media accounts allegedly used in a campaign linked to the May 9 incidents.
It argued that examining the accounts and other evidence could help establish Azhar’s alleged role in the case.
Police told the court that Azhar was wanted in 48 cases. Eighteen of these cases were registered in Lahore.
Officials said 17 of the 48 cases carry terrorism-related provisions.
Police said Azhar had remained unavailable for investigation for a long period. He was subsequently declared wanted, while several raids were conducted to arrest him.
After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its decision before granting police a 20-day physical remand.
Police took Azhar into custody after the ruling.
