Sunni Ittehad Council leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza was arrested early Friday morning by Islamabad Police while traveling from Peshawar to Faisalabad, his brother confirmed.

The arrest took place near D-12 intersection around 2am, according to multiple sources.

Acting chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council, Sahibzada Hassan Raza, confirmed the arrest, saying that his brother was taken into custody by Islamabad Police. “He was supposed to appear in the Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) today and surrender himself,” he said.

PTI spokesperson confirms arrest

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram also confirmed the arrest in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter). He said that Islamabad Police stopped vehicles near the D-12 junction and arrested Hamid Raza, who was en route to Faisalabad.

“Sheikh Waqas Akram stated that Hamid Raza had already announced his arrest two days ago,” the PTI spokesperson wrote, adding that Raza was not wanted by Islamabad Police in any case.

Hamid Raza’s sentencing in May 9 case

Sahibzada Hamid Raza was sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 case, a series of protests and violent incidents that erupted nationwide in 2023. He had earlier announced his intention to surrender voluntarily before the Faisalabad ATC.

Later, the MNA was produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court.

Political implications and reactions

The arrest of Hamid Raza — a prominent cleric and political figure — is expected to further heighten tensions between the government and opposition allies. His party, the Sunni Ittehad Council, has been a key ally of the PTI in recent months, particularly in pushing back against what they describe as political victimization.

With Raza’s arrest coming just hours before his planned court appearance, questions are being raised about the timing and motive behind the operation.