On Friday, the Lahore police freed broadcaster Imran Riaz Khan following a local court’s decision to clear him from a recent charge, for which he was arrested the previous day.
Riaz was detained at Allama Iqbal International Airport late Tuesday evening over accusations of financial fraud.
Social media widely circulated footage of his arrest, capturing the journalist in ihram attire en route to Hajj in Saudi Arabia, prompting calls from PTI for his release.
During Wednesday’s court session at the Model Town Court, the police requested a seven-day custody, but the judge, after considering arguments, allowed only a one-day remand.
The judge, on Thursday, acquitted the anchorperson from the fraud case but Riaz was apprehended again for allegedly obstructing police duties, related to an incident at Lahore airport.
At today’s hearing, the prosecution demanded a 10-day remand to identify other suspects, but after reviewing the case, Magistrate Hafiz Kashif cleared Riaz of the charges.
The judgment highlighted the lack of evidence that Riaz drove any vehicle during the incident or that he used force against a public officer.
The judge declared the evidence insufficient and ordered Riaz’s release unless required for other cases.
Following this, Riaz was released, and visuals of his release were shared on social media by his lawyer, Ashfaq, who stated that the false charges against Riaz had failed.
