Imran Riaz Khan was arrested amid the crackdown on PTI leaders and workers after the May 9 violent protests by party workers protesting the arrest of their leader Imran Khan. PTI protestors attacked military and civil properties. Top military brass and the civilian leadership have decided to hold trials of civilians who attacked military installations in military courts, drawing severe condemnation from human rights quarters.

On May 11, Imran Riaz Khan was arrested at Sialkot airport and since then his whereabouts remain unknown. On May 12, a writ petition was filed over the anchorperson’s arrest in the Lahore High Court (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.

Police had told the court hearing Imran Riaz Khan’s case that there was no trace of the anchorperson in any police station across the country. However, they said, the agencies had asked for a police van, so they might know of his whereabouts.

Reporters Without Borders has said the police statement in the court is a “clear admission” that the anchorperson was abducted by Pakistan’s military intelligence agencies. 

“According to confidential diplomatic sources consulted by RSF, the government’s silence about the TV anchor’s fate suggests that he may have fared badly since his abduction and may even have died in detention,” the report said.

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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.

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