Imran Khan's Nephews Granted Bail Amid Allegations of Political Motivations

Lahore, Sep 4 (PTI) – Shershah Khan, the nephew of Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, has been granted bail by an Anti-Terrorism Court concerning his involvement in an attack on a senior military officer’s residence during the May 9 riots in Lahore.

His brother, Shahrez Khan, received bail a day earlier from the same court, charged in the same incident. Both Shershah and Shahrez are children of Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan.

Their arrest occurred on August 21, a move Aleema Khan describes as a "phony case." Following their arrest, the siblings were remanded to jail after police custody concluded last week.

During Thursday’s court proceedings, Shershah’s defense attorney argued that prosecutors had yet to present the case record pertaining to the incident at the Lahore Corps Commander House, also known as Jinnah House. The lawyer emphasized the lack of substantial evidence and questioned the prolonged detention of Shershah.

The defense further argued against Shershah’s arrest, which came 27 months post the May 9 riots, suggesting this highlights the biased intent of the Punjab police. The defense contended that Shershah’s detention is politically motivated due to his familial connection to Imran Khan.

After listening to the arguments, ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill approved Shershah's release on a surety bond of PKR 100,000.

Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan have voiced their concerns over the arrests of Imran Khan’s nephews, suggesting it reflects a “political witch-hunt.”

Meanwhile, Hassan Niazi, another nephew of Imran Khan, has been convicted by a military court for his involvement in the May 9 riots and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Following Imran Khan’s arrest in May 2023, several military and government buildings came under attack by his supporters. Consequently, numerous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members and key party leaders have faced convictions.

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