Prominent journalist Bilal Ghauri has reportedly been arrested following a complaint filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Ghauri was reportedly missing from his residence in Islamabad’s E-11/4 area since around 2am. His family became aware of his disappearance after finding that he was no longer present on the ground floor of the house, which he used as his office.
According to reports, his glasses and wallet were left behind, while his whereabouts and the location of his mobile phone remained unknown.
His relatives approached Shalimar Police Station to report his disappearance. Police reportedly received the application, but an FIR had not initially been registered.
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former MNA Hammad Azhar was arrested, police sources said.
According to police sources, Hammad Azhar was arrested in Multan and subsequently handed over to Lahore police. Sources said he was taken into custody near RA Bazaar while he was staying at the house of a close friend.
Police sources claimed that Hammad Azhar is wanted in several cases related to the May 9, 2023 incidents, including the May 9 attack on the Lahore Corps Commander House/GOR Gate case. He had been declared a proclaimed offender since May 9, 2023, according to police.
An anti-terrorism court had declared Azhar a proclaimed offender over repeated non-appearance and had also issued his permanent arrest warrants.
Police sources said Azhar has been handed over to the investigation wing. He is nominated in more than 50 cases related to the May 9 incidents.
Azhar had approached the Lahore and Peshawar High Courts seeking protective bail in the cases.
According to sources, Azhar resigned from his party position after the cases were registered against him. He had previously been serving as PTI’s Punjab president.
Sources further said Azhar was traced at a checkpoint in Lahore Cantonment while travelling to his in-laws’ home in Multan.