Social media is rife with the reports that Khadijah Shah has been arrested by the Pakistani law enforcement agencies for her alleged role in the arson attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, also known as Jinnah House, on May 9.
Violent protests broke out across Pakistan on May 9 after a large contingent of the paramilitary force Rangers arrested former prime minister Imran Khan inside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) shortly before he was scheduled to appear before a judge for bail in multiple cases.
A video circulating on social media shows Khadijah Shah driving a car during the May 9 protests somewhere near the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore with some people sitting inside and others, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Andleeb Abbas, standing on the roof of her car.
Khadijah Shah is a renowned fashion designer and the owner of famous fashion brands Elan and Zaha. She is the daughter of Dr Salman Shah, Pakistani economist who served as adviser to the chief minister of Punjab on economy. Shah also served as caretaker finance minister of Pakistan and adviser to the then Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz on finance.
Khadijah Shah is the granddaughter of Pakistan’s late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asif Nawaz Janjua. She is a staunch supporter of former prime minister Imran Khan and has been quite vocal about the policies of the powerful rulers of Pakistan in recent years.
Pakistan Army chief warns against any further attacks on military installations
Although there’s no official confirmation of Khadijah Shah’s arrest, reports suggest she has been taken into custody along with other members of her family. A leaked audio call purportedly between Shah and another person suggests she was going to voluntarily surrender to the police after a number of Pakistani TV channels ran the news citing the Punjab Police that she had been at the centre of the arson attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, also known as Jinnah House.
Army warns of strong reaction as violent protests spread across Pakistan
The top leadership of the PTI has been arrested and put behind the bars for allegedly inciting violent protests and arson attacks on the state and military properties and installations. PTI Chairman Imran Khan said in his latest speech that at least 7,500 PTI supporters had been arrested on charges of attacks on the state and military installations.
Reacting to the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House and military installations in parts of Pakistan, the top brass of the Pakistan Army decided a few days ago that all those involved in these attacks would be tried under the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act. On Saturday, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir confirmed that the legal process to try the rioters under the army laws has begun.