LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Wednesday granted post-arrest bail to Shahrez Khan, nephew of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, in a case related to his alleged involvement in May 9, 2023, riots.
Earlier in the day, the court reserved its ruling on Shahrez’s bail application and later announced its decision in the evening. Shahrez was arrested on August 21 and had been in police custody since then.
The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case, leading to violent clashes, including attacks on military and government facilities. The Jinnah House incident gained particular prominence among these events.
During today’s proceedings, Shahrez’s lawyer highlighted that allegations of inciting PTI supporters were unsubstantiated, as the prosecution failed to produce concrete evidence. Conversely, the public prosecutor claimed that Shahrez’s affidavit remained unverified, opposing the bail request.
Previously, on August 30, police had produced Aleema Khan’s son before the court after completing his physical remand. The prosecution sought an extension for further investigation, but Judge Manzer Ali Gill rejected this request, sending Shahrez on judicial remand.
It is also notable that Shahrez’s second nephew, Shershah, is in police custody for his alleged role in the same riots. He was arrested on August 22 and later sent on a 14-day judicial remand after his five-day physical remand expired.
Sources indicate that both suspects were primarily detained for their involvement in the attack on Jinnah House. Shershah was reportedly present with Hassan Niazi during the attack, accused of vandalism, arson, and torching a police van. He is also alleged to have run an anti-state digital campaign over several months and had reportedly gone into hiding in London for nearly two years before being apprehended.
