Lahore ATC remands Shahrez Khan, nephew of PTI founder Imran Khan, to jail on a 14-day judicial remand in the Jinnah House attack case. On Saturday, August 30, 2025, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore ordered a 14-day judicial remand for Shahrez Khan, nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, over his alleged involvement in the Jinnah House attack during the May 9, 2023, riots. The decision was made by ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill after rejecting a police request for extended physical custody.
Why It Matters
The case underscores ongoing tensions between Pakistan’s government and the PTI, highlighting allegations of political targeting amid a broader crackdown on the party following the 2023 riots. It raises concerns about judicial processes and human rights in Pakistan’s politically charged environment.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Lahore police arrested Shahrez, son of Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, on August 21, 2025, from his mother’s residence. He faces charges of vandalism, arson, and running an anti-state digital campaign linked to the Jinnah House attack, a significant incident during the May 9, 2023 riots. The prosecution, led by Imtiaz Ahmad Sipra, sought a 30-day extension of physical remand, citing the need to verify Shahrez’s social media accounts and complete investigations. They noted a cane recovered from Shahrez and a completed photogrammetry test as evidence.
Advocate Rana Mudassar Umer, representing Shahrez alongside PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, argued the arrest was illegal, asserting Shahrez was not in Lahore during the riots. The defence submitted affidavits from seven individuals and photographs claiming Shahrez was in Chitral from May 7 to May 12, 2023. Umer contended, “The suspect has been involved in this case because he is the PTI founder’s nephew,” alleging the arrest aimed to silence Aleema Khan’s advocacy for Imran Khan’s release.
Judge Gill ruled that social media and travel history could be verified without further physical custody, ordering Shahrez to jail on judicial remand until September 13, 2025, when the charge sheet is due.
Defence’s Alibi and Political Context
Shahrez’s wife, Maria, claimed he was in Chitral with family on May 9, 2023, sharing images on social media to support this. The PTI also challenged a video purportedly showing Shahrez at the riots, asserting it was from a September 21, 2024, rally in Kahna. The defence argued that Shahrez, a triathlete with no political involvement, was targeted due to his familial ties.
Allegations of Political Persecution
The PTI and human rights groups have decried the arrests of Shahrez and his brother Shershah, arrested on August 22, 2025, as politically motivated. Amnesty International labelled the arrests a “political witch-hunt,” while the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed concern over the timing, 27 months after the incident. The use of old FIRs to detain civilians sets a dangerous precedent. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry defended the arrests, stating they were not “fake, fabricated, or politically motivated.”
Background
The May 9, 2023 riots erupted after Imran Khan’s arrest on corruption charges, leading PTI supporters to attack military and state installations, including Jinnah House, the Lahore corps commander’s residence. The government’s response included a sweeping crackdown, with thousands of PTI supporters and leaders detained. Shershah Khan, also implicated, was sent to judicial remand on August 28, 2025, facing similar charges. The cases reflect ongoing efforts to hold PTI accountable for the violence, amid accusations of targeting Khan’s family to weaken the party.
What’s Next in Lahore ATC Remands
Shahrez’s bail plea, filed by Advocate Umer, is pending, with the next hearing scheduled for September 13, 2025. The court’s decision on the bail and the prosecution’s charge sheet will be critical in determining Shahrez’s fate in the Lahore ATC remands case. The outcome could further fuel debates over judicial fairness and political repression in Pakistan.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 30th, 2025
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