Pakistan opposition figure resurfaces after months, vows to 'seek justice' in court

Pakistan’s opposition leader and senior PTI figure Hammad Azhar has broken several months of hiding, announcing he will now face the courts to “seek justice” in what he claims are false and politically motivated cases filed against him.

Azhar, a key ally of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, made his decision public in a statement on X, a day after making his first public appearance in months -- at the funeral of his father, veteran politician Mian Azhar, in Lahore.

Although Azhar had largely stayed out of the public eye following the state’s sweeping crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), he briefly re-emerged at a PTI rally in Swabi district in November last year, delivering a short speech before vanishing from public view once again.

His disappearance came in the wake of a sweeping state crackdown on PTI leadership following the violent May 9, 2023 protests. The unrest had been triggered by the arrest of Khan and quickly spiraled into nationwide chaos, with PTI supporters storming military installations, police stations, and public infrastructure.

The state responded with one of the most forceful crackdowns in Pakistan’s recent political history. Hundreds of PTI members and supporters were arrested, and several top leaders, including Khan and Azhar, were booked in multiple cases -- ranging from sedition to terrorism.

In his statement today, Azhar said, “As the only son of my parents, the brother of three sisters, and the father of two young children, I can say that my family has endured over two years of pain and hardship. Naturally, in this time of grief, I wish to be by my family’s side — especially my mother.”

Declaring his innocence, Azhar said he has been “targeted in baseless, fabricated cases that lack any foundation.”

He vowed to pursue legal redress: “I will take my case to the court and seek justice. If justice is served, I will thank Allah; if not, I will face further oppression with patience and perseverance. Indeed, Allah is with those who remain steadfast.”

Azhar also paid tribute to his late father, describing his legacy of “integrity, honesty, and dignity” as a personal source of pride and “a valuable tradition for Pakistan’s political culture.”

He expressed gratitude to leaders across the political spectrum who extended condolences and paid tribute to Mian Azhar following his death.