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| PTI founder Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan’s son Shershah. — X/@PTIofficial |
Imran Khan’s Nephew Remanded in Jinnah House Case: A Family in the Crosshairs
LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore remanded Shershah, another nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and son of his siter Aleema Khan, in police custody for five days on Saturday in a case linked to May 9 incidents.
When Shershah Khan—nephew of former Prime Minister Imran
Khan—stood before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on August 23, he was
more than a suspect; he was a part of a family under immense scrutiny. The
court granted the police a five-day physical remand, a development that
came swiftly after his brother, Shahrez Khan, had also been taken into custody
for eight days. Both arrests stem from one of the most controversial chapters in
recent political history—the May 9 riots, culminating in the Jinnah
House attack.
Shershah, son of Imran’s sister Aleema Khan, was arrested
under tight security and brought to the court the next day. Judge Manzar Ali
Gill oversaw the hearing, where the prosecution presented video footage showing
Shershah at the scene of the Jinnah House attack, allegedly inciting vandalism
and arson alongside his cousin, Hassan Niazi—another nephew of Imran Khan. The
investigating officer requested a 30-day remand citing the need for polygraph
and photogrammetric tests, while also seeking access to social media records.
Despite the intensity of the allegations, the court granted a more moderate
five-day police remand.The News InternationalGeo News+1DawnThe NationDunya News
Aleema Khan stood strong outside the courtroom. She insisted
that the arrests were not about criminal behavior, but about familial
association. “Their only crime,” she said, “is that they are Imran Khan’s
nephews.” She added defiantly that “as many punishments as they want to give,
we are ready to face them.”The News InternationalDawn
The Broader Context: May 9 Riots and
the Jinnah House Attack
To understand the gravity of this case, recall what happened
on May 9, 2023. Following Imran Khan’s arrest on corruption charges, protests
erupted across Pakistan, with rioters targeting military installations and
state properties. Among the most notorious incidents was the attack on Jinnah
House, the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander.
In the aftermath, the state launched a sweeping crackdown.
Military courts convicted several PTI members, including another nephew, Hassan
Niazi. While many verdicts remained contested, Shershah's arrest more than two
years later has raised concerns over timing and intent.The Express TribuneGeo NewsDawnThe NationWikipedia
Shahrez’s arrest followed suit. Named in a supplementary
statement only months ago, he was picked up on August 21 and remanded the very
next day. His defense raised alarm at the arrest delays, calling them an act of
persecution against a political family. Salman Akram Raja, representing
Shershah, warned that “if this continues, the entire city will be taken into
custody.”The Express TribuneDunya News
Legal Voices and Human Rights
Concerns
In the courtroom, the debate was less about procedural norms
and more about justice. The police insisted that Shershah's presence at the
Jinnah House was captured on video and required further investigation.
Meanwhile, the defense argued that many accused in similar cases had been
released due to long delay in arrests. This raises a larger question—whether
political retribution is overshadowing fair trial procedures.
Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
expressed deep concern over these arrests, calling the timing—27 months after
the incident—a troubling red flag. The commission warned that this could signal
a “backsliding of citizens’ rights,” urging the authorities to uphold
transparency and due process.Dawn
Beyond the Gavel: Family, Politics,
and Public Perception
The story isn’t just legal—it’s deeply personal. Here is a
family torn open in the glare of public controversy. Aleema Khan’s resolve,
refusing to be cowed even as her family faces consecutive arrests, added a
poignant layer to this affair.
It also illustrates how political disputes morph into
familial crises in Pakistan. When Imran Khan’s former supporters are now
branded criminals, his close relatives are increasingly caught in the
institutional web. From Hassan Niazi’s earlier conviction to the recent arrests
of two more nephews, Imran’s family has become a potent symbol in the fight
between the state and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).Wikipedia+1
What Comes Next?
With Shershah under a five-day remand, police have limited
time to extract evidence. If they fail, his release could strengthen claims of
political targeting. Alternatively, his detention might fuel further
polarization, with PTI supporters arguing that the justice system is now a
battleground for retribution.
Wherever this leads, one thing is certain: political and
legal tensions in Pakistan are deeply interwoven. This case serves both as a
legal flashpoint and a reminder of the fragile space where family, politics,
and the rule of law all collide.