LAHORE:
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday granted post-arrest bail to Shahrez Khan, nephew of PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan, in the Jinnah House attack case.
ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill, after reserving judgment on arguments presented by both sides, announced the decision allowing Shahrez’s bail.
During proceedings, Shahrez’s counsel, Rana Mudassar Umar, argued that the allegation of inciting the public against his client was baseless.
He said a thorough investigation, including geofencing, produced no evidence linking Shahrez to the May 9 incident.
He pointed out that while the police challan contained details of both nominated and unidentified accused, Shahrez’s name did not appear anywhere, suggesting what he called a “forged implication.”
The counsel further contended that Shahrez was arrested more than two years after the riots, describing the arrest as politically motivated.
He submitted affidavits claiming Shahrez was in Chitral from May 6 to 12, 2023, at the time of the violence.
Despite this, he said, police arrested him and even alleged recovery of a club from him after two years, which the defence termed a “mockery.”
He maintained that over 500 accused in the case had already secured bail, yet Shahrez was singled out for arrest. He also noted that Shahrez, an athlete, was being unfairly targeted, which could harm Pakistan’s image abroad.
The prosecution opposed the plea, insisting that evidence existed against the accused and urging the court to reject the bail. However, the court granted Shahrez post-arrest bail.
Meanwhile, the ATC also fixed hearing of the bail petition filed by Shahrez’s brother, Sher Shah, for September 4.
Police officials have been directed to produce the case record at the hearing.
Sher Shah’s counsel argued that his client was also implicated for political reasons. He said the police alleged Sher Shah appeared in a video with his cousin, Barrister Hassan Niaziconvicted earlier by a military courtat the crime scene. However, the defence maintained that mere presence in a video did not establish guilt.
Shahrez was arrested on August 21 and produced before court the next day, while his brother Sher Shah was taken into custody on August 22 and presented before court on August 23.
