As Pakistan risks a mass exodus of international talent with democracy in decline, its youth refuse to give up on former cricketing legend and prime minister, Imran Khan’s vision for “justice, humanity and self-esteem".

The brazen abduction of Pakistan’s top triathlete, Shahrez Khan, from his Lahore home last Thursday is cause for serious concern for those who value their democratic freedoms within Commonwealth nations.

Shahrez is one of only two Pakistanis to qualify for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, earning his place by finishing seventh in his age group at the 2025 Puerto Princesa (Philippines) race earlier this year.

Shahrez is the son of Aleema Khan (Imran Khan’s sister), an Oxford-educated MBA graduate, entrepreneur and regional head at the Australia-based company, Simba Global. Being Imran’s nephew makes his detention highly symbolic. Imran is serving a 14-year sentence in Adiala Jail on numerous charges he has always claimed are politically motivated.

Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party last week reported that 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.

He was due to travel to Estonia to participate in IRONMAN 70.3 that week.

Shahrez was presented in court last Friday and  detained for one week for his alleged involvement in Pakistan’s 9 May protests of 2023 – 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 Khan was also abducted for involvement in the same protests.

Just days before Shahrez and Shershah’s abductions, Pakistan’s Supreme Court  granted bail to Imran in multiple 9 May riots cases.

Amnesty International described Shahrez’s arbitrary arrest as part of a “political witch-hunt” aimed at silencing dissent. In a statement issued by its South Asia office last week, Amnesty said the arrest of Imran’s nephews was 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 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.

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 said Shahrez was a source of inspiration for younger Pakistanis to take an interest in physical fitness.

“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, including his own uncle. His journey to Ironman began with cross-country events at Aitchison College and continued during his studies at Oxford University. Shahrez has spent his whole life training for marathons in Pakistan.

In a nation where cricket usually eclipses other sports, with dedication to endurance sports Shahrez has been a vocal advocate for the benefits of physical activity in a country where depressive disorders in school-aged children are on the rise and where many Pakistanis face numerous barriers to participating in sports.

Other members of Imran’s family have also been targeted, 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.

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’s 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 Imran's illegal imprisonment.

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 under detention and away from all political activity.

Many Pakistanis believe the abductions of Khan’s nephews were timed to deter Imran’s sons entering Pakistan. Kasim and Sulaiman Khan (British nationals) are awaiting visas to travel to Pakistan since meeting Donald Trump’s Special Envoy, Richard Grennell, last month as part of a campaign calling for their father’s release.

Imran’s ex-wife, Jemima Khan, also took to social media in defence of her nephews, stating categorically that “no state should be allowed to target families to settle political scores".

On 26 August, Imran’s sister, Aleema Khan, was granted access to meet Imran at Adiala jail for the first time in four months. Every Tuesday, Aleema and her sisters travel miles to the military jail to demand his release and draw attention to prison treatment they claim is tantamount to torture.

Aleema told the media she questioned the timing of his arrest, and insisted the family will not be intimidated and will continue “bringing Imran’s message” until his release.

This week social media has been flooded with support for Shahrez and his brother Shershah, with widespread condemnation about the alleged premeditated nature and cruelty with which their abductions and arrests were conducted by authorities.

Among the messages of solidarity for Shahrez was one from 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 and Shershah, cease the campaign of cruelty against Imran’s family, and treat Pakistan’s elite athletes with the respect they rightly deserve.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.