Just hours after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleged late Thursday that men in plainclothes had "abducted" Shahrez Khan — the son of Aleema Khanum, sister of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan — Lahore police confirmed his arrest in connection with a case related to the May 9 incidents.
Initially, police officials claimed they had no information on Shahrez’s whereabouts and stated they could only act once an official complaint had been filed.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram condemned the incident on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “During an attack, men in plain clothes abducted Aleema Khan’s son from her home. We strongly condemn this thuggery and oppression. We demand his immediate and safe return.”
From PTI’s official X account, the party alleged that Shahrez was forcibly taken during a raid on Aleema’s residence, during which family members were harassed and staff were assaulted. The party termed the incident “fascism” and called for Shahrez’s immediate release.
A detailed statement from PTI’s Central Information Department described the incident as “the height of thuggery and oppression.” It claimed Shahrez was abducted from his bedroom after the doors were broken, that he was tortured in front of his two young children, and that household staff were subjected to violence.
The statement further alleged that Shahrez was stopped from traveling with his wife at Lahore Airport the previous day and “illegally offloaded,” calling it a blatant violation of basic human rights.
Several PTI leaders strongly condemned the incident. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur called the alleged abduction “despicable,” while former opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan described the act as cowardly and said such measures only proved the strength of Imran Khan, his family, and PTI supporters.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also highlighted the reported mistreatment of the household staff and the harassment of the family during the incident.
Shahrez Khan, born in Lahore, studied at Aitchison College before completing an MBA at Oxford University. He currently serves as the regional head of Simba Global, an Australian linen supplier, and is known to be a triathlete.