A district and sessions court in Lahore granted judicial remand for anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan in a corruption case on Friday.
Imran Abid, the Judicial Magistrate, presided over the proceedings where the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) presented Khan. They requested a 14-day physical remand for further investigation into the case.
Khan, along with his father, stands accused of securing a contract related to Dharabi Lake in Chakwal at an inflated price, leading to financial losses for the national exchequer.
Pakistani TV host and YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan was apprehended by ACE Punjab during a late-night raid at his residence in Lahore, as confirmed by his lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq.
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Speaking on X, commonly referred to as Twitter, despite the platform’s ongoing outages in Pakistan, Ashfaq stated that Khan was already aware of the ACE’s intentions. “I know the location where Imran Riaz has been kept. It is the seventh round in two years. May Allah protect the secrets of all,” Ashfaq remarked.
Imran Riaz, a political commentator known for his contentious views, was reportedly taken into custody from his Lahore home during the early hours of Friday.
Videos of Khan’s arrest are circulating on X/Twitter and various other social media platforms. Last September, the journalist, who evolved into a polarizing political commentator, returned home safely after being detained for over four months.
During the court hearing, the anti-corruption officials urged the judge to grant physical remand for further interrogation. However, Khan’s legal counsel opposed the request.
Following deliberations, the judge dismissed ACE’s plea for physical remand and ordered Imran Riaz to be held in judicial remand.