Outrage as Lahore police arrest Aleema Khan’s son Shahrez Khan over ‘anti-state activities’

Lahore police on Thursday confirmed the arrest of Shahrez Khan, son of Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan. According to DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza, Shahrez had been wanted in connection with the May 9 cases.

“Those involved in anti-state activities do not deserve any protection,” the DIG said, adding that the accused will be produced before the court on Friday morning.

Earlier, Aleema Khan alleged that four masked men carrying weapons stormed her house and took away her son.

She claimed the men, dressed in plain clothes, entered through the kitchen while Shahrez was upstairs with his wife and father. According to her, the intruders also harassed the domestic staff.

Read more: Imran’s sons have applied for both Nicop and visa: Aleema Khan

PTI’s spokesperson issued a similar statement, alleging that the men broke down the bedroom door in front of Shahrez’s two children, tortured him, and dragged him away.

The arrest has triggered outrage on social media platform X, with many questioning the timing of the move, noting that Shahrez has remained away from politics and yet was detained two years after the May 9 incidents.

#JusticeForShahrezKhan Another family member of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan being targeted. @Shahrez_KhanPK, a gifted Pakistani triathlete and fervent patriot, lights up the global stage with his passion for sport, carrying Pakistan’s pride in his heart. He has… pic.twitter.com/XOx85WJOYi

— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) August 21, 2025

At a time when we need to focus on climate disasters, the state is busy attacking opponents. The raid at Aleema Khan's house and the arrest of her son is another dark chapter of authoritarianism in Pakistan. Political repression is not the answer to governance failures.

— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) August 21, 2025

Shahrez Khan was my senior in college, he’s an athlete, handles the family business & has nothing to do with politics. I’m worried about his abduction. Punjab Police chief is denying an arrest but should immediately work towards finding Shahrez. He was leaving today for Estonia… pic.twitter.com/OuxyIkz3A1

— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) August 21, 2025

Shahrez Khan is a private citizen. The only message this kind of collective punishment sends is that no one is safe and that the courts mean nothing.

— Asad Rahim Khan (@AsadRahim) August 21, 2025

A wonderful young man @Shahrez_KhanPK has been picked up, he was never part of politics , three years should be enough to experience hard tactics it’s the time to heal the nation not to further political division, Shahraiz should be released with no delay…

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 21, 2025

Shahrez Khan was living and working in Lahore these last twenty six months, taking part in international sports competitions, traveling around the world, visiting Imran Khan at Adyala for family meetings - and suddenly after 26 months Lahore Police has realized that he is…

— Taimur Malik (@taimur_malik) August 21, 2025