STAFF REPORT
LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Wednesday granted postarrest bail to Shahrez Khan, nephew of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, in a case related to his alleged involvement in May 9, 2023, riots. Earlier in the day, the ATC reserved its verdict on the bail petition filed by Shahrez — son of PTI founder’s sister Aleema Khan — in the Jinnah House attack case. He was arrested on August 21. The May 9 riots broke out across the country following the arrest of the PTI founder in a corruption case in 2023. The violence included attacks on military and state installations, with the Jinnah House incident becoming one of the most high-profile cases. At the outset of today’s hearing, Shahrez’s counsel argued that allegations of inciting PTI workers had been leveled against his client, but the prosecution failed to produce any evidence to support the claims. At this, the public prosecutor, while opposing the bail plea, told the court that the suspect’s affidavit had not been verified. The court reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from both sides and announced it later in the night.
