PTI leader Hassaan Khan Niazi, a nephew of Imran Khan, has been surrendered to the military for trial over his alleged role in the vandalism at Lahore’s Jinnah House during the May 9 unrest following the former prime minister’s arrest. This information was conveyed to the Lahore High Court (LHC) during a hearing on a petition submitted by his father, Hafeezullah Niazi.

The Punjab government presented a report to the high court confirming that recently apprehended Hassan Niazi from Abbottabad had been transferred to the military for trial. He is considered a prime suspect in the case concerning the attack on Jinnah House.

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The court suggested that the Punjab government’s lawyer inquire if a meeting between the father and son could be arranged. The hearing was adjourned to later in the day.

Hassan Niazi, a lawyer by profession, was arrested in Abbottabad on August 13 after evading arrest by staying at a friend’s place. He had moved there a few days prior.

A military official had previously sent a letter to the police, requesting custody of Hassan Niazi for a military trial. The letter stated that initial investigations revealed Niazi’s involvement in offenses connected to the May 9, 2023 incident at Jinnah House, Lahore Cantonment. These offenses are subject to the Official Secrets Act 1923 and the Pakistan Army Act 1952, fall under the jurisdiction of court martial.

The letter asked the Sarwar Road police to hand over the accused to military authorities in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure’s Section 549(3), for inquiry, investigation, and subsequent trial by court martial under the Pakistan Army Act 1952.