LAHORE: The police on Friday arrested PTI leader Mian Usman Akram in the May 9 case of Askari Tower attack after his release from preventive detention.

Subsequently, the police produced Akram before an anti-terrorism court with his face covered.

The investigating officer asked the court to allow shifting of Akram to jail to conduct an identification parade.

Judge Manzer Ali Gill allowed the police request and sent Akram to jail on a 10-day judicial remand for the identification parade.

Earlier, the Lahore High Court disposed of a petition challenging Akram’s detention after the Punjab government withdrew his detention order.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa heard the petition filed by Akram’s wife, Kulsoom Akram, challenging his detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law.

The Lahore deputy commissioner appeared before the court in compliance with its earlier order.

A law officer informed the court that the notification regarding Akram’s detention had been withdrawn.

The petitioner’s counsel asked the court to direct the authorities not to arrest Akram in any other case upon his release from jail.

However, the judge observed that, following the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the court could not grant a relief beyond the scope of the petition.

The judge disposed of the petition in view of the withdrawal of the detention order.

Mian Usman Akram is a relative of jailed former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2026