News DeskLahore, Pakistan – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a “final chance” to the Punjab police chief to recover missing anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan by September 26. The court has adjourned the proceedings in response to a petition filed by Imran Riaz Khan’s father, demanding the recovery of his son.
Imran Riaz Khan, a popular YouTuber and television anchor, was arrested two days after violent protests erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on May 9. He was initially taken into custody and held at the Cantt police station, later transferred to Sialkot prison. However, his whereabouts became unknown after his release from jail on May 15.
Following his disappearance, an FIR (First Information Report) was filed on May 16 against “unidentified persons” and police officials for allegedly kidnapping Imran Riaz Khan under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to kidnapping or abducting with the intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person.
Despite ongoing investigations, Imran Riaz Khan’s location remains undisclosed. In the most recent hearing on September 20, Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr. Usman Anwar told the court that the investigation was “going in the right direction.” However, the Chief Justice of LHC, Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, expressed impatience, noting that it had been five months since the incident.
In response to the Punjab IG’s request for more time, the court granted an extension until September 26 and adjourned the hearing. Imran Riaz Khan’s lawyer expressed their readiness for a faster resolution, stating that they had also lost patience in the matter.
This case has seen multiple hearings and investigations since Imran Riaz Khan’s disappearance in May. Various government agencies, including intelligence services, have been involved in the search, with efforts spanning both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Lahore High Court has been persistent in its pursuit of answers and accountability in this high-profile case, compelling authorities to work together to locate and produce the missing anchorperson.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for September 26, when the court will expect an update on the progress made in the investigation and the efforts to recover Imran Riaz Khan.
