The Lahore High Court was informed on Monday that the detention of former prime minister Imran Khan’s three sisters has been extended by another 30 days.
Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan have been held at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail for more than a month under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960. Aleema was detained on September 20, and Uzma and Noreen a day later, during a crackdown on efforts to mobilise support for the jailed PTI founder.
A Punjab government law officer, presenting the provincial home secretary’s report, told Justice Abher Gul Khan that the extension was granted on the recommendation of the Lahore deputy commissioner. The court then disposed of a petition seeking the women’s release, filed by Aleema’s son Shahrez.
The petitioner’s counsel had argued that the first 30-day detention period expired on October 20 and asked the court to order the women to be produced before it. The court observed that the deputy commissioner, who issued the detention notification, had not been made a party to the petition, so it could not issue an order beyond the scope of the case.
PTI leaders criticised the extension, calling it politically motivated and questioning why the sisters were being held when, they said, they are not wanted in any criminal case. Imran Khan, 74, has been in jail since August 2023 and faces multiple cases, which he and his party describe as politically motivated.
Sources: The Nation, Aaj English, The Hindu, Telegraph India.
