Hammad Azhar arrested in Multan over May 9 riot cases

Hammad Azhar, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former federal finance minister, has been arrested in Multan. Police sources stated that Azhar, who had been a proclaimed offender since May 2023, was taken into custody and subsequently handed over to Lahore police for further legal proceedings.

Azhar faces multiple cases related to the May 9, 2023, riots, which occurred following the arrest of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. During that period of unrest, supporters targeted various civil and military installations across Pakistan, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Azhar had previously resigned from his position as the president of the PTI’s Punjab chapter in August 2024, citing restrictions on his movement and a lack of access to the jailed Imran Khan. He had remained in hiding since the registration of the cases pertaining to the May 9 violence.