LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sisters Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan have been detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order, 1960 (MPO), an official said on Monday, a day after Aleema Khan was detained and shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail.
Lahore deputy commissioner issued the detention orders under the 3-MPO following a recommendation from the police, according to the DC Office.
The two sisters of Imran, who remains incarcerated in Adiala jail, have been detained for 30 days.
Following their detention, Noreen and Uzma were shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail, where their other sister, Aleema Khan, had been transferred following her detention.
The detentions come ahead of PTI’s nationwide protest, including a planned long march on Islamabad on September 27 to demand the release of Imran and supremacy of the Constitution.
Sources had said earlier that Aleema’s two sons, Shahrez Khan and Sher Shah, were also taken into custody in Lahore.
Lawyer Rana Mudassir later confirmed that Aleema’s sons were released following their brief detention.
According to Mudassir, Noreen and Uzma were transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail at around 2am.
Aleema was reportedly taken into custody on Sunday and subsequently shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail while she was going to a gym in Lahore.
At the time, Noreen told Geo News that Aleema was taken into custody while leaving her home and that she had received information about her being taken to Kot Lakhpat jail.
“I do not know why they are so worried that they are arresting women as well,” Noreen said.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned Aleema’s arrest, terming it “the first step towards worsening the situation”.
“We have always made it clear that our march will be peaceful and political,” Barrister Gohar had said, adding that the party’s objective was to pursue its constitutional and political demands through peaceful struggle.
“We do not want any kind of confrontation or violence,” he said.
Family challenges Aleema’s detention
A petition challenging Aleema’s detention was later filed in the Lahore High Court, with Punjab Home Department, Lahore deputy commissioner and others named as respondents.
Aleema’s son, Shahrez Khan, filed the petition through lawyer Rana Mudassir.
In the petition, Shahrez argued that his mother was a law-abiding citizen, saying the Lahore deputy commissioner issued the 30-day detention order contrary to the facts.
The petition contended that the detention order issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner was based on facts contrary to the circumstances.
Shahrez asked the court to declare the detention order void and direct Aleema’s release.
