Imran Khan’s nephew remanded in May 9 riots case

Shahrez Khan, nephew of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was remanded into police custody for eight days on Friday by Lahore’s Anti-Terrorism Court in connection with the May 9 riots.

ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul approved the physical remand after police sought 30 days to interrogate Shahrez in the high-profile case. The accused, son of Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, was arrested in the Jinnah House attack case tied to violent protests last year.

Defense counsel Salman Akram Raja opposed the remand request, arguing that Shahrez was arrested nearly two years after the incident and that there was no credible evidence against him.

“There is no justification for the arrest after such a delay,” Raja told the court. He noted that the accused’s mother had already been discharged from the same case and urged the court to drop the charges.

Police requested more time to submit the full case record. DIG Investigations said Shahrez was wanted for his alleged role in the May 9 violence and warned that those involved in anti-state activity would not receive leniency.

Family members Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan were present in court during the hearing.

PTI alleges abduction

The court appearance came a day after PTI alleged that Shahrez was abducted by unidentified individuals in plain clothes from Lahore.

PTI leader Salman Akram Raja claimed Shahrez was forcibly removed from a flight at Lahore Airport, physically assaulted, and later taken from his bedroom in front of his young children by men allegedly linked to a government agency. The party said domestic staff were also assaulted during the raid at Aleema Khan’s home.

According to Ayesha Bhutta, PTI Media Cell Punjab in-charge, Shahrez’s wife was also removed from the flight and briefly detained.

The party condemned the incident as “cowardly” and “illegal,” adding that Shahrez is a non-political figure known primarily as Aleema Khan’s son.

A spokesperson for Lahore’s DIG Operations denied police involvement in the alleged abduction, saying the department is focused on crime prevention and does not engage in politically motivated operations.

May 9 cases

The legal proceedings against Shahrez stem from riots on May 9, 2023, when protesters stormed military installations, including the historic Jinnah House in Lahore, after Imran Khan was briefly detained in a corruption probe.

The state filed charges of terrorism, sedition, mutiny, and rioting in response. Authorities have called the unrest an attack on state institutions, while PTI leaders insist the charges are part of a politically driven campaign to crush dissent.

Military courts have sentenced dozens of civilians to prison terms of two to 10 years over their alleged roles in the riots — a move widely criticized by human rights organizations.

Imran Khan, 72, was ousted as prime minister in 2022 in a no-confidence vote. He has remained in prison since August 2023 and was barred from contesting the February 2024 general election, which PTI claims was rigged.

While Khan denies orchestrating the May 9 violence, several top PTI leaders have been convicted in related cases, tightening the legal noose around the party ahead of critical political decisions.