LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Thursday sent Shershah Khan, the son of Imran Khan’s sister Aleema, to jail on judicial remand for 14 days in connection with the attack on the Lahore corps commander’s residence, as it rejected a police request for an extension of his physical remand.
Previously on a five-day physical remand, Shershah was brought to court under stringent security measures, with media access restricted during the proceedings.
During the hearing, Investigating Officer (IO) Ashraf Javed requested a 30-day physical remand, stating that while a photogrammetry test had been conducted and a wooden club recovered from the suspect, a mobile phone and a mask were still outstanding.
The officer said details of the suspect’s social media accounts were also needed.
ATC denies police request for a 30-day remand extension; next hearing scheduled for September 11
Represented by a legal team that included Salman Akram Raja, Rana Mudassar Umar, and Barrister Taimoor, the defence opposed the extension, seeking the suspect’s discharge.
Anti-Terrorism Court-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill noted that a significant part of the investigation had already concluded. He observed that in the modern era, social media accounts can be traced without the suspect’s cooperation.
As a result, the court rejected the IO’s plea for an extended physical remand and placed Shershah on a 14-day judicial remand instead.
“This court is of the view that there is no sufficient ground available for further physical remand of the accused to the investigating officer,” the judge wrote in his formal order.
The judge also directed the IO to submit a formal challan, against the suspect within the stipulated period and ordered that Mr Shershah be produced in court again on Sept 11.
Shershah’s mother Aleema Khan was also present at the hearing, alongside other PTI leaders.
Following the hearing, the PTI legal team filed a post-arrest bail petition on behalf of Shershah. His brother, Shahrez, remains in police remand in the same case.
Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2025
