No cases pending against Khadija Shah’s father, husband: govt

PTI activist is accused of being involved in May 9 arson attack

LAHORE:

The federal government has stated in court that no cases exist against detained fashion designer and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Khadija Shah's father or her husband, Express News reported on Thursday.

The revelation came during a hearing at the Lahore High Court (LHC) regarding details of cases against former finance minister Syed Salman Ali Shah, Khadija Shah's father, and his family.

Justice Anwarul Haq Pannu conducted the hearing at the request of the former minister. Additional Advocate General Ghulam Sarwar appeared on behalf of the Punjab government.

Sarwar stated that there were no cases against Salman Shah, his brothers, or his son-in-law, upon which the court adjourned the case for further hearing until next week.

Khadija Shah is suspected to have been among those leading the May 9 arson attack on the Jinnah House, which is currently used as the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander, in the wake of PTI chief Imran Khan's arrest in a corruption case.

Shah turned herself in at Lahore’s Iqbal Town police station on May 23 and an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on May 24 remanded her in a seven-day judicial custody.

In an audio clip released on social media before her surrender, Shah could be heard explaining the immense hardship her family had faced over the past few days.

Shah, who is also the granddaughter of former COAS Gen Asif Nawaz Janjua, clarified in the audio clip that she believes in democracy and the Constitution despite the charges levelled against her.

Meanwhile, Anti-Terrorism Court discharged 20 accused from the case registered against them under different charges including creating law and order, road blocking, chaos and arson which erupted after former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2023.