The brazen abduction of Pakistan’s #1 triathlete, Shahrez Khan from his Lahore home last Thursday, should alarm all who care about civil liberties and democratic freedoms in Commonwealth countries.
Shahrez is an Oxford MBA graduate, entrepreneur, and regional head at the Australia-based company, Simba Global. As nephew of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and son of Aleema Khan — his detention is highly symbolic.
Imran Khan is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence on numerous charges widely regarded to be politically motivated.
Shahrez was due to travel to Estonia to participate in IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn last week. He is one of only two Pakistanis to qualify for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, earning his place by finishing 7th in his age group at the 2025 Puerto Princesa (Philippines) race earlier this year.
Reportedly, Shahrez was abducted from his Lahore home by armed men in plain clothes who forcibly entered his bedroom, tortured him in front of his two young children, and assaulted household staff. Earlier authorities had prevented him from departing the country on a scheduled international flight.
Shahrez was presented in court last Friday and detained on physical remand for 8 days for his alleged involvement in Pakistan’s 9 May 2023 protests, despite having no involvement in politics, nor any previous allegations brought against him in the past 27 months. Not more than 24 hours after his abduction, his brother, Shershah was also picked up on allegations of involvement in the same protests.
Just days before Shahrez and Shershah’s abductions, Pakistan’s Supreme Court granted bail to Imran Khan in multiple cases related to riots on 9 May.
Amnesty International described Shahrez Khan’s arrest part of a “political witch-hunt” aimed at silencing dissent.
In a statement issued by its South Asia office last week, Amnesty stated that the arrest of Imran Khan’s nephews, were an attempt to intimidate the families of political opponents and demanded their immediate release.
“The arrests are part of a broader pattern in which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is being targeted on political grounds, with the aim of crushing opposition and silencing critical voices,” the statement read.
Amnesty further noted that targeting family members of political leaders and workers has become a worrying trend in Pakistan, urging the government to end such practices.
Photo: Shahrez Khan, Ironman 2024
The abductions prompted Shahrez’s father, Sohail Amir Khan, to speak out in the media for the first time last week. Taking to social media he stated that his son, Shahrez, was a source of inspiration for younger Pakistanis to take an interest in physical activity.
“Encouraging fitness habits from a young age prevents future health problems, builds discipline, and promotes teamwork” he said. “Together, inspiration and physical strength empower the youth to grow into capable, responsible, and visionary leaders of tomorrow.”
Raised in a family with a legacy of athletic excellence, Shahrez’s early days were spent in Zaman Park, Lahore, the training ground of many sporting legends. It was also the place where his journey to IRONMAN began.
“Inspired by my uncle, Imran Khan — the ultimate athlete — this journey has taught me lessons that extend far beyond triathlons and into every facet of my life,” Shahrez said, after ranking as Pakistan’s #1 triathlete at the end of 2024.
In a nation where cricket usually eclipses other sports, Shahrez has been a strong advocate for the many benefits of endurance sports in a country where many Pakistanis face numerous barriers to participating in sports. He is passionate about nurturing future athletes and writing new chapters in Pakistan’s sporting history.
Other members of Imran Khan’s family have also been targeted along bloodlines, including his nephew, Barrister Hassaan Khan Niazi, who was handed down a 10-year sentence without evidence or a fair trial for his alleged involvement in the 9 May protests.
Photo: Barrister Hassaan Khan Niazi, 21 March 2023 X/@PTIOfficial
Calling for the former Prime Minister’s immediate release back in September 2024, Amnesty International also noted “a pattern of weaponisation of the legal system” to keep Imran Khan under detention and away from all political activity.
With reference to a UN Working Group’s recommendation, UN Special Rapporteur, Gina Romero’s thematic report (A/68/299) to the Human Rights Council 59th session in June on the crackdown on rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association in the context of the 2023-25 ‘super election’ cycle, highlighted Khan’s illegal imprisonment.
Many Pakistanis believe the abductions of Khan’s nephews were timed to deter his sons entering Pakistan and ultimately — to diminish his political influence.
Kasim and Sulaiman Khan (British nationals) are currently awaiting visas to travel to Pakistan since meeting with President Trump’s Special Envoy, Richard Grennell, in the US last month as part of a campaign calling for their father’s release.
“No state should be allowed to target families to settle political scores,” Imran Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Khan said of the unlawful abductions.
This week Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, was granted access to meet Imran at Adiala jail for the first time in 4 months. Every Tuesday, Aleema and her sisters travel miles to the military jail to demand his release and draw attention to prison treatment Khan’s family and lawyers have reported is tantamount to torture and in violation of the Mandela Rules.
Talking to the media this week, Aleema responded with unwavering resolve.
Questioning the timing of her son’s arrests, she insisted that the family will not be intimidated and will continue “bringing Imran Khan’s message,” until his release.
Since their arrests, social media has been flooded with support for Shahrez and his brother Shershah, with widespread outrage over the pre-meditated nature and cruelty with which their abductions were conducted by authorities.
Among the messages of solidarity for Shahrez on the eve of IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn, was healthcare and sports brand,ACTIVIT, who humbly requested authorities for a “compassionate review” that would ensure he [Shahrez] “may safely reunite with his family and continue representing Pakistan with honour on the world stage.”
In line with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, Pakistan’s authorities must immediately release Shahrez Khan and Shershah Khan, cease the campaign of cruelty against Imran Khan’s family, and treat Pakistan’s elite athletes with the respect they rightly deserve.
First published in Pearls & Irritations Public Policy Journal
Featured photo: Shahrez Khan at the finish line of Ironman 70.3, Puerto Princesa, Philippines, 2025.
Photo: Shahrez Khan, Aitchison College, Lahore ACTIVIT/Facebook
Despite leading Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup and serving as Prime Minister from 2018-2022, photos of Imran Khan Niazi are currently banned in Pakistan.
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