Imran Riaz released after court discharges fraud case

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last year

LAHORE—Lahore police released journalist Imran Riaz Khan (pictured, left) on Friday after a local court discharged him from a recent fraud case in which he was arrested a day before, Dawn.com reported.

Riaz was taken into custody late Tuesday night at Allama Iqbal International Airport on charges of monetary fraud. Visuals of his arrest, showing him clad in an ihram while departing for Hajj, went viral on social media, prompting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to call for his release.

During Wednesday’s hearing before the Model Town Court judicial magistrate, the police sought a seven-day physical remand for Riaz. The prosecutor alleged that the anchorperson had borrowed Rs0.25 billion from the complainant and failed to return the money. Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Kamran Zafar, after hearing arguments from both sides, reserved his verdict and granted a one-day physical remand.

On Thursday, the judge discharged Riaz from the fraud case. However, he was re-arrested outside the court in connection with a separate case concerning interference with the police, registered at the Sarwar Road police station. This case alleged that Riaz had damaged a barrier near Lahore airport.

Today, Riaz appeared before Judicial Magistrate Hafiz Kashif, with Advocates Mian Ali Ashfaq (pictured, right) and Rana Maroof representing him. The prosecution sought a 10-day physical remand to apprehend the remaining accused persons based on Riaz’s identification.

After reviewing arguments and case records, the judicial magistrate discharged Riaz from the interference case. The judge noted that there was no evidence suggesting Riaz was driving a vehicle at the time of the alleged incident, nor were any eyewitness statements recorded.

The judge’s written order stated, "No evidence is available on the record to suggest that the accused Imran Riaz Khan used any assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duties." The order further observed that the record did not detail how Riaz had obstructed a public servant's duties.

Finding the evidence against Riaz "deficient," the judge ordered his release if he was not wanted in any other case. Subsequently, Riaz was released by the Sarwar Road police.

Following his release, Advocate Ashfaq posted visuals of Riaz on the social media platform X. Advocate Maroof stated that those who had fabricated false cases against Riaz were defeated.

Photo: X (@MianAliAshfaq)