Warrants Issued for Prominent Designer and Others
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has issued arrest warrants for eight individuals, including fashion designer Khadija Shah, in connection with violent protests that erupted across the country on 9 May 2023. The decision came after the accused repeatedly failed to appear before the court in two major cases.
Shah, who is the daughter of former finance minister Salman Shah, faces charges in cases linked to attacks on Lahore’s historic Jinnah House and the city’s Askari Tower. Both sites were targeted during the nationwide unrest following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan last year.
Other Individuals Named in the Cases
According to court documents, the warrants also cover Imran and Faiza Azmat, both accused in the Jinnah House attack case. Meanwhile, Usman Ahmed Mursaleen, Hamza Sohail, and Muhammad Khalid face proceedings related to the Askari Tower incident.
In addition, the court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for two other suspects, Abdul Razzaq and Safdar. Authorities have also begun the process of declaring them as proclaimed offenders, a legal step used when individuals evade arrest or fail to appear before the court despite repeated summons.
Background: May 9 Protests and Violence
The violent unrest of 9 May 2023 marked one of Pakistan’s most turbulent political crises in recent years. Demonstrations broke out after the dramatic arrest of Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and former prime minister, by paramilitary forces.
Supporters flooded the streets in major cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and Peshawar. The protests quickly turned violent, with state and military properties attacked. In Lahore, demonstrators stormed and set fire to Jinnah House, the official residence of a senior military commander. The nearby Askari Tower, a commercial complex, was also vandalized.
According to government figures at the time, several people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes between protesters and security forces. In related developments, Pakistani Court Sentences Senior PTI Leaders to 10 Years in Prison Over May 9 Violence, highlighting the serious legal consequences for those found guilty. Dozens of military and civilian installations were damaged. More than 100 cases were registered nationwide, with thousands of PTI supporters and leaders detained.
High-Profile Attention on Khadija Shah
Khadija Shah, a well-known fashion designer and founder of the luxury brand Élan, became one of the most high-profile figures linked to the May 9 cases. Her arrest and subsequent detention last year drew widespread media attention, both due to her professional background and family connections.
Human rights groups criticized the authorities for what they described as heavy-handed tactics against political opponents. PTI leaders alleged that the cases were politically motivated, aimed at weakening the party’s influence. The government, however, insisted that those involved in violence against military and state property must face justice.
Legal Proceedings Continue
The issuance of fresh arrest warrants underscores the court’s frustration with the accused failing to attend hearings. Pakistani law allows courts to escalate action against absent defendants, moving from bailable warrants to non-bailable ones, and eventually declaring individuals as absconders if they continue to avoid trial.
Observers note that the May 9 trials remain a test case for Pakistan’s judiciary and law enforcement. The cases not only involve allegations of terrorism and vandalism but also highlight the country’s deep political divisions.
As the proceedings continue, the fate of Shah and other accused individuals will likely remain in the spotlight. The trials also carry broader implications for Pakistan’s political landscape, as the PTI continues to face pressure in the aftermath of last year’s unrest.
