Lahore, August 23, 2025: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday handed over Shershah, nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, to police on a five-day physical remand in a case linked to the May 9 riots.
Shershah, son of Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, was arrested on Friday in connection with the Jinnah House attack case — the same case in which his brother, Shahrez, is also facing trial. His arrest came just a day after Shahrez was taken into custody.
The May 9 violence erupted across the country in 2023 following Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case, with military and government buildings attacked. The storming of Lahore’s Jinnah House, a residence of the corps commander, remains among the most high-profile incidents from the unrest.
During Saturday’s hearing, presided over by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill, the investigating officer alleged that Shershah was present at Jinnah House along with his cousin, Hassan Niazi — another nephew of Imran Khan — and that he incited people to commit arson and vandalism. Video footage was presented in court to support the claim.
The prosecution requested a 30-day physical remand, arguing that photogrammetric and polygraph tests were required. However, Shershah’s counsel, senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja, opposed the request. He argued that suspects in similar cases had previously been discharged after delayed arrests spanning over two years, and urged the court to dismiss the case against Shershah.
“If this continues, the entire city will be taken into custody,” Raja remarked during arguments.
After hearing both sides, the court reserved its decision before ordering a five-day physical remand.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Aleema Khan said both her sons were now in custody. “Their only crime is being related to the PTI founder,” she claimed. She added: “I have been told they will arrest me too. We are ready to face whatever punishments they want to give.”
At the same time, Aleema said that those proven guilty of arson and attacks on property should be punished.
