Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and former National Assembly member Hammad Azhar has been arrested in Multan, according to police sources. Azhar was subsequently handed over to Lahore police for further legal proceedings. Police said he had been declared a proclaimed offender since May 9, 2023, and faces multiple cases related to the riots that erupted on that date.
Azhar, who served as federal finance minister during PTI’s time in government, stepped down as the party’s Punjab chapter president in August 2024. At that time, he cited lack of access to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan and restrictions on his movements as reasons for his resignation. He had gone into hiding after being booked in cases connected to the May 9 disturbances.
Thousands of Khan’s supporters stormed public property and military installations on May 9, 2023, following the former premier’s arrest at the Islamabad High Court in a graft case. During the unrest, they targeted civil and military facilities including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.