Lahore (Web Desk): Two sons of Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, have been taken into custody in Lahore as part of ongoing investigations into the May 9, 2023 riots.
Law enforcement confirmed on Friday that Shershah Khan was the latest to be apprehended, though authorities have not released specifics about the charges, citing that the matter remains under investigation.
This arrest follows closely on the heels of the detention of Shahrez Khan, Aleema’s elder son, who was taken into custody a day earlier in relation to the attack on Jinnah House—one of the most prominent incidents during the unrest that erupted across the country following Imran Khan’s arrest on corruption charges in 2023.
Shahrez was reportedly detained late Wednesday night, with police confirming his arrest on Friday morning after news circulated that he had been taken from his residence by unidentified men.
PTI responded sharply to both arrests, labeling them as unlawful. The party alleged that Shershah had been “abducted,” echoing similar claims made regarding Shahrez.
According to PTI, plainclothes individuals forcefully entered Aleema Khan’s home, harassed family members and staff, and subjected Shahrez to physical abuse in front of his children.
Meanwhile, Shahrez was presented before an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, where police sought a 30-day physical remand.
However, after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, the judge granted an eight-day remand instead.
Representing Shahrez, Advocate Salman Akram Raja argued that his client had no affiliation with PTI’s political activities and had been arrested two years after the incident, even though his mother had already been cleared of charges in the same case.
He pressed for his client’s immediate discharge, questioning the evidence provided by law enforcement. In response, the police maintained that Shahrez had an active role in the Jinnah House attack and presented case files to support their claim.
The Deputy Inspector General of Investigation, Zeeshan Raza, emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating that individuals involved in actions against the state should not be shown any leniency.
The May 9 violence was triggered by the arrest of former premier Imran Khan and led to widespread protests that quickly escalated.
Demonstrators attacked military and government sites, including the Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore—known as Jinnah House—and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
Several monuments and state properties were also damaged during the chaos, prompting a sweeping crackdown by authorities.