Pakistan Extends Imran Khan's Sisters' Detention By 30 Days, Lahore Court Disposes Of Plea

The Punjab government in Pakistan has extended the detention of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's three sisters by another 30 days under a public safety law. The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday disposed of a petition seeking their release after the government confirmed the extension.

Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi have been held at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since September under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960. Aleema was detained on September 20, while Uzma and Noreen were taken into custody the following day.

According to a report submitted by Punjab's home secretary, the provincial government approved the extension on October 7 following a recommendation from Lahore's deputy commissioner, who had issued the original detention orders.

The development came during proceedings before Justice Abher Gul Khan on a petition filed by Aleema's son, Shahrez Khan, seeking the recovery and release of the three women.

The petition argued that their initial 30-day detention orders had expired on October 19 and 20, but they remained in custody. It also claimed that the sisters were not wanted in any criminal case and alleged that their detention violated their fundamental rights.

The petitioner's lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umar, sought an order directing authorities to produce the women before the court and release them. However, the judge observed that the Lahore deputy commissioner, who issued the detention notifications, had not been named as a respondent. The court said it could not pass an order beyond the scope of the petition and subsequently disposed of the case after taking the government's report on record.

The sisters were detained amid a crackdown ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party's planned September 27 protest march towards Islamabad, demanding Khan's release.

The former prime minister, 74, has been in jail since August 2023 and faces multiple cases that he and his party describe as politically motivated.

PTI leaders have criticised the provincial government led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, accusing it of targeting Khan's family and party. Former federal minister and PTI leader Moonis Elahi also condemned the detention, arguing that preventive detention should not replace ordinary criminal law and demanded the sisters' immediate release.