Renowned journalist and anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan was arrested again from his residence in Lahore last night.
The reasons behind his arrest remain unknown. Neither his family nor his lawyer Mian Ashfaq know the reason for his arrest.
The news of his arrest went viral on social media last night. Later on, his family shared the video of his arrest from his house. The CCTV video showed men entering his house in plain clothes.
His friends and family have pleaded details regarding his arrest. However, he was served a notice by FIA to appear in person for investigation on the anti-judiciary campaign on social media on February 23rd, 2024. His arrest came a night before his appearance.
Another journalist Asad Toor was also summoned in the same case along with him. His brother Usman Riaz Khan has called the people to raise their voices against his arrest and demand his release. His lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq claims he was arrested by an anti-corruption squad in Punjab.
He was earlier arrested for four months and returned home in September 2023. Riaz — a YouTuber and television anchor — was arrested two days after violent protests broke out across the country following PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9.
Read more: Journalist explains health condition of Imran Riaz Khan
He was last known to be taken to Cantt police station after his arrest and later to the Sialkot prison. On May 15, a law officer told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that the anchorperson was released from jail after taking an undertaking in writing.
On September 20, the LHC had given the Punjab police chief a “last opportunity” to recover Riaz by September 26 (tomorrow). During the hearing, LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti had stated that his patience was “running out”.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Sialkot police said, “Journalist/anchor Mr Imran Riaz Khan has been safely recovered. He is now with his family.”