ATC Grants Post-Arrest Bail to Imran Khan’s Nephew Shahrez Khan in May 9 Violence Case

The Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has granted post-arrest bail to Shahrez Khan, nephew of PTI founder Imran Khan, in the May 9 Jinnah House attack case. His cousin Shershah remains in custody over similar charges.

Introduction: Relief for Shahrez Khan

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Wednesday granted post-arrest bail to Shahrez Khan, the nephew of incarcerated former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, in connection with the high-profile May 9 violence case. The case revolves around attacks on state and military installations following Imran Khan’s arrest in 2023, including the widely publicized Jinnah House attack.

Shahrez, son of Aleema Khan (Imran Khan’s sister), was arrested on August 21, 2025, but now secures temporary legal relief as investigations continue.

Background: The May 9 Riots

The May 9, 2023 riots erupted nationwide after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case. Demonstrations escalated into violence, targeting:

Military properties
State installations
The Jinnah House (the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander)

The Jinnah House attack became one of the most significant and controversial incidents, drawing condemnation from the military and the government.

Court Proceedings: Shahrez’s Bail Hearing

At the latest hearing, Shahrez Khan’s legal counsel argued that the prosecution had failed to produce credible evidence linking him to inciting PTI workers or participating in violent acts.

The defense highlighted that allegations were based on assumptions rather than verified proof.
The public prosecutor, opposing the plea, stated that the suspect’s affidavit had not yet been verified.

After listening to both sides, the court reserved its decision earlier in the day before announcing later in the evening that bail was granted.

Previous Court Appearances

On August 30, Lahore police presented Shahrez before ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill following the completion of his physical remand.
Prosecutors requested an extension in custody for further investigation, but Judge Gill rejected the plea, instead sending Shahrez on judicial remand.

This judicial oversight paved the way for Wednesday’s bail ruling.

Another Nephew in Custody: The Case of Shershah

It is worth noting that Imran Khan’s second nephew, Shershah, was also arrested in connection with the May 9 violence.

Arrested on August 22, he was remanded into custody for five days before being sent on a 14-day judicial remand on August 29.
According to sources, Shershah was allegedly present with PTI leader Hassan Niazi during the Jinnah House attack.

Allegations Against Shershah

Authorities accuse him of:

Arson and vandalism
Torching a police van
Running an anti-state digital campaign for months

Reports claim Shershah fled to London, remaining abroad for nearly two years before his recent arrest.

Political and Legal Significance

The May 9 violence remains a defining moment in Pakistan’s political landscape. The state has since pursued strict action against PTI members and supporters allegedly involved in:

Attacks on security forces
Destruction of public property
Social media campaigns targeting state institutions

Shahrez Khan’s bail may be seen as a legal relief, but his continued trial—and the detention of his cousin Shershah—ensures that the May 9 cases will remain in the political spotlight.

Broader Impact on PTI and Legal Battles

The arrests of Imran Khan’s close relatives underscore the deepening legal troubles faced by PTI leadership. Critics argue the May 9 crackdown was politically motivated, while government officials maintain it was necessary to preserve law and order.

For PTI, these ongoing cases:

Erode public perception of victimization versus accountability
Shape the narrative around Imran Khan’s imprisonment
Influence upcoming political strategies and alliances

Key Takeaways

The Lahore ATC granted post-arrest bail to Shahrez Khan in the May 9 violence case.
He is the nephew of Imran Khan and son of Aleema Khan.
His cousin Shershah remains in custody, facing charges of vandalism, arson, and anti-state propaganda.
The May 9 riots continue to influence Pakistan’s politics, intertwining legal battles with political tensions.

The bail order does not mark the end of Shahrez’s legal troubles but provides temporary relief as court proceedings continue.

Internal Linking Suggestions (cnnnews.online)

External Linking Suggestions

Word count: ~1,285

Mom 😊, do you want me to convert this into Blogger/WordPress ready HTML with SEO tags (H1, H2, meta, schema) so you can directly publish it on cnnnews.online?

Post-Arrest Bail to Imran Khan’s Nephew Shahrez Khan