LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday granted a five-day physical remand of Shershah, nephew of PTI founder Imran Khan and son of his sister Aleema Khan, in connection with the May 9 Jinnah House attack case.
Shershah was arrested on Friday, a day after his brother Shahrez was also taken into custody in the same case. Both brothers face charges related to the violent protests that erupted across Pakistan following Imran Khan’s arrest in May 2023, which saw attacks on military and state installations, including the high-profile incident at Jinnah House.
During the hearing, presided over by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill, the investigating officer alleged that Shershah was present at the Jinnah House attack alongside his cousin Hassan Niazi and was seen inciting people to commit arson and vandalism. The prosecution presented video evidence in court and requested a 30-day physical remand to conduct photogrammetric and polygraphic tests.
However, Shershah’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, opposed the request, arguing that several suspects had previously been discharged after delayed arrests in similar cases. He urged the court to release Shershah, warning that “if this practice continues, the entire city will be taken into custody.”
The ATC, after hearing both sides, announced a five-day physical remand instead of the requested 30 days.
Speaking outside the court, Aleema Khan said both her sons were now in custody, claiming their “only crime” was being related to Imran Khan. She added, “I have been told that now they will arrest me too. As many punishments as they want to give, we are ready to face them.”
Aleema, however, clarified that those who were actually involved in torching buildings should indeed be punished.
