Imran Riaz Detained In Zaman Park Attack Case

Outspoken journalist Imran Riaz Khan has been arrested in connection with an attack on police officials and the vandalization of government vehicles outside Zaman Park in Lahore. Imran Riaz, already in the custody of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) for a graft case, was presented before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) where the police sought his physical remand.

The ATC hearing, attended by Riaz’s legal representatives Asad Manzoor Butt, Azhar Siddique, and Mian Ali Ashfaq, awaits a decision from ATC Judge Naveed Iqbal on the physical remand petition.

Read more: Imran Riaz Khan Jailed On Judicial Remand

Earlier on February 23, a district and sessions court in Lahore had granted judicial remand for anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan in a corruption case. The ACE had presented Khan before Judicial Magistrate Imran Abid, seeking a 14-day physical remand in connection to allegations that he and his father secured a contract for Dharabi Lake in Chakwal at an inflated price, causing losses to the national exchequer.

Imran Riaz Khan, known for his role as a Pakistani TV show host and YouTuber, was arrested in a late-night raid at his Lahore residence by ACE Punjab, as confirmed by his lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq. The lawyer, addressing the situation on Twitter, mentioned that Imran Riaz was already aware of the ACE’s move.

Imran Riaz, a political commentator known for his confrontations with the country’s powerful entities, had reportedly been taken into custody from his Lahore residence in the early hours of Friday. In the past year, he had returned home safely after being detained for over four months. The anti-corruption officials, during the recent hearing, sought the judge’s approval for the suspect’s physical remand, citing the need for interrogation. However, the anchorperson’s lawyer opposed it, leading the judge to reject the physical remand plea by ACE and instead send Imran Riaz to jail on judicial remand.