TV Anchor Imran Riaz Khan returns home after four months in missing.
Islamabad, September 25: Pakistani TV anchor Imran Riaz Khan, who had been missing for more than four months, has returned home safely, confirmed senior police officials on Monday.
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Imran Riaz Khan, a popular YouTuber and anchorperson, was arrested on May 9, two days after violent protests erupted across Pakistan following former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest. He was last seen being taken to Cantt police station in Sialkot after his arrest. However, his whereabouts remained unknown since then.
On September 20, the Lahore High Court gave Punjab Inspector General of Police a “last opportunity” to recover Khan by September 26. During the hearing, the court remarked that its patience was running out.
In early hours of Monday, Sialkot Police announced on social media that Khan has been safely recovered and was now with his family. Punjab IG Dr Usman Anwar and Sialkot DPO Hassan Iqbal also confirmed his return.
Khan’s lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq, who played a key role in his recovery, shared a photo of himself with the anchorperson on Monday afternoon. According to journalist Wajahat S Khan, the anchorperson was in weak condition but has returned home.
Politicians from the PTI and other parties welcomed Khan’s return and demanded release of other political prisoners. The development has provided relief to Khan’s family, friends and media fraternity who were anxiously waiting for his safe return for the past four months.
The exact circumstances surrounding Khan’s disappearance and return remain unclear. The Lahore High Court is expected to take up the case for further proceedings. Khan’s recovery comes as a major development in the missing journalist case that had sparked concerns over press freedom in Pakistan.
