LAHORE: Hassaan Khan Niazi, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the nephew of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been transferred to military custody for a trial related to his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, as revealed during a session at the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday.
The court was addressing the petition submitted by Hafeezullah Khan Niazi, Hassaan Niazi’s father, who sought the release of his son and an inquiry into the actions of responsible officials regarding what he deemed an “unlawful” detention. The petitioner’s legal representative also requested that the court grant permission for a meeting between the petitioner and his detained son.
The Punjab government’s legal representative informed the court that Hassaan Niazi has been handed over to military authorities. He was identified as the primary accused in the case connected to the attack on Jinnah House on May 9.
The court allowed time for the government’s lawyer to ascertain the feasibility of arranging a meeting between Hassaan Niazi and his father, given that they are both currently in military custody. In the initial phase of the proceedings, Additional Advocate General Ghulam Sarwar Nihung presented a report on behalf of the relevant authorities, in response to the court’s directive to produce the detainee, Hassaan Niazi, on the specified day.
The report confirmed that the PTI leader had been transferred to military custody and highlighted his central role in the Jinnah House attack case.
The legal representative for the petitioner countered by asserting that while military custody can be authorized through appropriate legal channels, the involved Station House Officer (SHO) had not followed proper legal procedures. The representative emphasized that Hassaan Niazi was detained on August 13, briefly held by the police on August 17, yet no official transit remand was obtained from a court.
The petitioner’s legal representative further requested the court to summon the SHO in question to explain these actions. They argued that the unauthorized transfer of Hassaan Niazi to military custody by the police was unlawful and called for it to be condemned.
The representative also sought the court’s permission for the petitioner to meet his detained son, underlining the urgency of the matter. In response, Justice Tanvir inquired about potential objections from the law officer, leading to a request for consultation with relevant regulations.
Justice Tanvir instructed the law officer to provide an update following consultations with concerned parties regarding the feasibility of arranging a meeting between the father and son. Nevertheless, the court adjourned the proceedings until 2 pm.
In a subsequent closed-door session, lawyers informed reporters that a decision had been reserved regarding the petitioner’s plea to meet Hassaan Niazi, taking into account his father’s request.
Earlier, the Punjab Police had sought custody of Hassaan Niazi, who was wanted in connection with the May 9 attack on Jinnah House, from the Quetta police.
Niazi was apprehended a few days prior in Abbottabad, reportedly found at a friend’s residence. He was transferred from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police custody to Quetta police.
On May 9, initially, PTI supporters had gathered at six different locations in Lahore following Imran Khan’s arrest in Islamabad, before congregating outside the Lahore Corps Commanders House.
The police allege that Niazi had led a group, primarily consisting of lawyers, from GPO Chowk Mall Road to Jinnah House.
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