Punjab police have told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, whose whereabouts remain unknown since he was arrested from Sialkot airport on May 11 following violent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters against the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan, was not present in any police station across Pakistan.
Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar appeared before the court and made these remarks.
On May 12, a writ petition was filed over the anchorperson’s arrest in the LHC that had directed the attorney general to present him before the court the same day. However, the attorney general did not follow the court’s orders, the court had ordered Sialkot police to recover Imran Riaz Khan within 48 hours.
On May 16, the anchorperson’s father had registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) of the Pakistan Penal Code, claiming that unidentified persons and police officials had allegedly kidnapped Imran Riaz Khan.
At an earlier hearing, the LHC had again ordered the Punjab IG to produce the anchorperson before the court today. However, during today’s proceedings the Punjab IG told the court that the police could not find any trace of the anchorperson in any police station, Dawn reported.
The Punjab IG told LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti that the anchorperson was not wanted by them. However, the agencies had requested a police van. The police are unaware as to why the agencies had requested a police van, so the court can summon them and ask them, said the Punjab IG.
He also said that he has enquired from police departments across the country and no one has Imran Riaz Khan.
The Punjab IG requested more time so they can get a response from the Ministry of Interior over the matter.
The judge then gave the Punjab IG another “chance” to recover the anchorperson.
 that anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, who has been missing since May 11 following violent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters against the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan, was not present in any police station across Pakistan. ){kind=link}