F.P. Report
LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Punjab capital has ordered the release on bail of Shahrez Khan, nephew of PTI founder Imran Khan and son of Aleema Khan, in connection with the Jinnah House attack case.
The decision was announced by Judge Manzar Ali Gul after reviewing Shahrez Khan’s post-arrest bail petition.
During the hearing, Shahrez Khan’s lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umar, argued that allegations claiming his client incited party workers were unsubstantiated. He emphasised that the investigation, which included geofencing of all involved individuals, produced no evidence linking Shahrez to the case.
The lawyer also stated that Shahrez Khan’s name does not appear in the police challan or official records, and no investigating officer had recorded a statement against him. He added that Shahrez was in Chitral during the relevant period, supported by affidavits from witnesses. The petition claimed the arrest was aimed at pressuring his mother, Aleema Khan, who has been advocating for Imran Khan’s release.
During the proceedings, the court instructed the defence to complete arguments promptly. The government’s lawyer argued that Shahrez Khan’s bail should be denied, citing unverified affidavits and social media photos from friends, while noting that no relevant pictures existed on Shahrez’s own accounts. After considering all arguments, the judge reserved the verdict and subsequently ordered Shahrez Khan’s release on bail.
Why was Shahrez Khan arrested?
Shahrez Khan is currently listed as a suspect in the Jinnah House attack case registered by Sarwar Road Police. The bail order does not immediately effect his release; he will be freed once formalities are completed. Legal observers note that the decision follows careful review of evidence, or the lack thereof, implicating him in the attack.
The defence reiterated that Shahrez is an Oxford University student and an athlete, preparing for international events, with no involvement in the alleged incident.
