LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the federal government on an appeal of Barrister Hassaan Niazi, a nephew of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, against his trial in a military court.

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry and Justice Sardar Akbar Ali heard the appeal.

Senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqi appeared on behalf of the appellant. Hafeezullah Khan Niazi, the father of the appellant, was also present in the court.

The bench directed a law officer to seek instruction from the federal government and file a reply by the next hearing.

Previously, two division benches had recused themselves from this appeal filed in October.

The appeal contended that following his arrest in the May 9 case, Mr Niazi was not produced before a civilian court, instead, Sarwar Road police handed him over to military custody. It argued that this handover was unlawful and carried out without any judicial order.

Mr Niazi asked the court to declare null and void the commanding officer’s notification dated Aug 17, 2023, authorising his custody by the military. He also sought to set aside his transfer to military custody and all subsequent proceedings conducted by the military court.

The appeal further prayed for his release from jail or for an order directing his production before an anti-terrorism court.

Mr Niazi was sentenced to 10-year imprisonment in December 2023 in a case of attacking Jinnah House, which also serves as Lahore’s corps commander residence.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2025