Shahrez Khan, the nephew of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan and son of his sister Aleema Khan, was taken into custody on Thursday, with police confirming his arrest early Friday following reports that he had been “picked up by armed men” from his Lahore residence.
Last night, several plainclothes armed men stormed my residence in Lahore. They brutally assaulted our staff, harassed my daughter-in-law, and forcibly took away my son, Shahrez Khan, in front of his two young daughters.
For over three years, this fascist regime in Pakistan has…
— Aleema Khanum (@Aleema_KhanPK) August 22, 2025
DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza stated that Shahrez was wanted in connection with the May 9 cases and would be presented in court today. “Those involved in anti-state activities do not deserve any leniency,” he remarked.
Their crime?
Belonging to Imran Khan’s family. pic.twitter.com/b84xQramH1— Cappuccino. (@drac0_d0rmiens) August 22, 2025
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Earlier, the PTI spokesperson had alleged that Shahrez was “abducted,” just a day after he and his wife were “forcibly offloaded” from a Lahore-bound flight. He further claimed that armed men broke into Shahrez’s bedroom, tortured him in front of his two children, and then took him away. “Shahrez Khan has no links to any political activity,” the spokesperson insisted, calling on the chief justice to take immediate notice of the incident and ensure his safe return.
بہادر ماموں کے ساتھ بہادر بھانجا
عمران خان اور حسان نیازی ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RU9wwC0SNv— Faisal Khan (@KaliwalYam) August 21, 2025
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja also condemned the incident in a post on X, writing: “Aleema Bibi’s home in Lahore has been raided by men in plain clothes. Her son, Shahrez, has been abducted, the family harassed, and the staff beaten.”
Shahrez is Pakistan’s top Ironman athlete , the nation’s #1 and only the second Pakistani triathlete ever to qualify for the World Championship. To arrest him in order to pursue your political revenge is absolutely criminal!
Have some shame! pic.twitter.com/i5lXvzmolR
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 22, 2025
Aleema Khan, who has remained vocal in demanding her brother’s release and often locks horns with PTI’s top leadership, has been in the spotlight for her outspoken stance.
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Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah responded to PTI’s claims on Geo News’ programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath. He said the Lahore police chief had denied Shahrez’s arrest. “Aleema Khan’s allegation will remain just that—an allegation—until proven with evidence,” Sanaullah remarked, adding that if Shahrez was indeed in custody, he would be produced before the court within 24 hours.