Hammad Azhar Arrest Claimed by PTI as Party Alleges Political Vengeance
The PTI says its senior leader was taken into custody in connection with May 9 cases, while police officials say they have no confirmation of his arrest.
PTI leader Hammad Azhar faces renewed legal pressure over May 9 cases.
Lahore: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday claimed that senior leader Hammad Azhar had been arrested. The party condemned the alleged arrest as an act of “political vengeance”.
Police officials, however, said they had no confirmed information about the development. Sources said Azhar was taken into custody in Multan in connection with a case related to the May 9, 2023 riots.
Police Deny Having Confirmation
Multan Regional Police Officer (RPO) Usman Akram Gondal said he was unaware of any arrest.
Speaking to Dawn, the senior police official said he had no information confirming that Azhar had been taken into custody.
Meanwhile, reports circulating online claimed that the PTI leader had been handed over to Lahore police. However, Lahore Investigation Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Naveed also said he had no confirmation of Azhar’s arrest or transfer.
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The conflicting reports have left the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest unclear.
PTI Condemns Alleged Arrest
The PTI strongly criticised the reported action against its leader. The party described it as an example of “political vengeance and fascism”.
The party demanded that Azhar be produced before a court if a criminal case had been registered against him. It also called for his fundamental and legal rights to be protected.
Furthermore, the PTI accused the government of using state institutions against its political opponents.
The party alleged that Azhar had repeatedly been targeted for political reasons. It also claimed that such actions were aimed at suppressing the PTI and silencing its political voice.
Omar Ayub Also Claims Arrest
Former opposition leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub also claimed on social media that Azhar had been arrested.
Ayub condemned the reported action. He alleged that the move was intended to disrupt a PTI march planned for September 27.
Meanwhile, Moonis Elahi, the son of PTI President Parvez Elahi, also claimed that Azhar had been arrested in several cases he described as false.
Azhar’s Previous Legal Troubles
The latest development comes after years of legal and political pressure on Azhar.
In April 2025, he stepped down as president of the PTI’s Punjab chapter for the third time. His earlier resignations from the position had been rejected by the party.
Azhar had previously gone into hiding following the state crackdown against PTI leaders after the violent events of May 9, 2023.
He later reappeared in public on May 22, 2024, after remaining away from public view for about a year.
Wanted in Multiple Cases
Azhar had also previously avoided arrest during a raid by the Counter-Terrorism Department at the PTI secretariat in Islamabad.
At the time, a police spokesperson said Azhar was wanted in three separate cases registered by Islamabad police.
Two of those cases were registered with Ramna police. Another case was filed with the Counter-Terrorism Department in 2023.
For now, there has been no independent official confirmation of the reported arrest. The situation is expected to become clearer if police or court authorities issue further details.
