An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has handed over Shahrez Khan, nephew of PTI founder Imran Khan, to police on an eight-day physical remand in connection with the May 9 Jinnah House attack case. The arrest comes amid mounting tensions as another son of Aleema Khan was also reportedly taken into custody.
LAHORE – Shahrez Khan, son of Aleema Khan and nephew of PTI founder Imran Khan, was arrested from his Lahore residence and presented before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday. The court granted police an eight-day physical remand in the high-profile Jinnah House attack case.
According to police, Shahrez was wanted in cases related to the May 9 riots, during which violent protests erupted across the country following the arrest of Imran Khan in a corruption case in 2023. The unrest saw attacks on military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and other sensitive sites.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asif Javed presented case records in court, affirming Shahrez’s alleged involvement. DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza also confirmed the arrest, stressing that “those involved in anti-state activities do not deserve any leniency.”
Defense counsel Salman Akram Raja, however, argued that Shahrez had been apprehended two years after the incident and had no connection with PTI’s political affairs. He reminded the court that Aleema Khan had previously been discharged from the same case and urged that her son also be released.
The PTI, through official statements, condemned the arrest, describing it as an “abduction.” The party alleged that plainclothes men stormed Aleema’s residence, tortured Shahrez in front of his children, and harassed family members and staff.
The court reserved its decision after hearing both sides before granting police custody for further investigation. Meanwhile, PTI claimed that another son of Aleema Khan, Shershah, was also “taken away” in a separate incident.
The May 9 riots remain one of the most significant political and security crises in recent years, with hundreds facing legal proceedings linked to attacks on state and military property.
