Aleema Khan's son Shershah sent on 14-day judicial remand in May 9 riots case

Lahore (Web Desk): A Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday granted a 14-day judicial remand for Shershah, the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and son of Aleema Khan, in connection with his alleged role in the May 9, 2023, riots.

He was transferred to jail following the conclusion of a five-day physical remand previously granted to the police.

Shershah had been taken into custody on August 22, one day after the arrest of his brother Shahrez Khan, another nephew of Imran Khan, in a related case concerning the attack on Lahore’s Jinnah House—an event considered one of the most serious incidents during the May 9 unrest.

The widespread violence had erupted after former premier Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case, triggering protests and attacks on military and government properties across Pakistan.

During the hearing, police requested the court to grant an additional 30-day physical remand for Shershah, asserting that he was seen in a video standing beside Hassan Niazi—also a nephew of Imran Khan—during the Jinnah House incident.

The prosecution argued that Shershah’s presence in the footage indicated possible involvement in the events of that day.

In response, Shershah’s legal counsel, Salman Akram Raja, challenged the claim, stating that merely being visible in a video does not constitute evidence of criminal conduct. The defense maintained that no substantive proof had been presented linking Shershah to any unlawful activity.

After hearing arguments from both sides, ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill denied the police request for further physical custody and instead remanded Shershah to judicial custody for 14 days.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, Shershah and Shahrez are both facing serious allegations, including participating in the Jinnah House attack, involvement in acts of arson and vandalism, destruction of state property, and running an anti-state digital campaign.

It has also been claimed that following the May 9 events, Shershah went into hiding and later fled the country, residing in London for nearly two years before returning to Pakistan.