On August 22, 2025, Shershah Khan, the second son of Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was arrested in Lahore, following the detention of his brother Shahrez Khan earlier this week, according to PTI’s official X account. The arrests, linked to the May 9, 2023, riots, have intensified political tensions, with PTI alleging targeted persecution.
PTI officials stated that Shershah was detained in broad daylight, though specific charges were not detailed. The arrest follows an anti-terrorism court (ATC) granting an eight-day physical remand for Shahrez Khan on August 22 for his alleged role in the May 9 riots, which involved vandalism of military and public installations after Imran Khan’s arrest. PTI claims both arrests are politically motivated.
After Shahraiz, Aleema Khan’s other son, Shershah, has also been abducted.
Punjab, under Maryam Nawaz’s illegitimate regime installed by Asim Munir, has descended into complete lawlessness. The province has become a symbol of state oppression, where abductions and political… https://t.co/ZvatTAEcoC pic.twitter.com/STbD9o52eB
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 22, 2025PTI Chairperson Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the arrests, stating, “By arresting Imran Khan’s family members, the government is deliberately creating political tension.” Aleema Khan previously alleged that Shahrez was abducted by “masked armed men” who assaulted staff and harassed family, fueling PTI’s narrative of a “fascist regime” targeting the party.
The May 9, 2023, protests erupted after Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case, leading to widespread unrest. Over 100 PTI members, including leaders like Omar Ayub, faced convictions, with Shahrez and now Shershah implicated. The Supreme Court’s recent bail approval for Imran Khan in eight related cases has heightened scrutiny of the crackdown.
Read: Lahore Police Arrest Shahrez Khan in May 9 Cases, Aleema Khan Alleges Abduction
The consecutive arrests of Aleema Khan’s sons escalate tensions between PTI and the government, with PTI leveraging the incidents to rally supporters ahead of by-elections.
