LAHORE: The Punjab government has extended the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, for another 30 days, the Lahore High Court (LHC) was informed on Monday.
A government lawyer submitted a report prepared by the Punjab home secretary in response to a petition challenging the detention of the three sisters and seeking their release.
Aleema Khan was detained in Lahore on September 20 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, and subsequently shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail. Her sisters, Uzma and Noreen, were taken into custody under the same provision a day later on the recommendation of the police.
The detentions took place ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protests and long march towards Islamabad on September 27, which sought the release of Imran Khan and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Aleema Khan’s son, Shahrez Khan, approached the LHC on October 20, challenging the detention of the former prime minister’s sisters. At an earlier hearing, the court had directed the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail to appear in person on October 28.
The petitioner’s counsel had argued that the detention orders for the three women expired on October 19 and 20.
In response, the government’s lawyer informed the court that the deputy commissioner had recommended extending their detention and that the provincial government had approved the proposal. He also stated that the detention had been extended on October 7.
During Monday’s proceedings, the Punjab home secretary and the jail superintendent appeared before the court in compliance with its earlier directions.
The petitioner’s counsel requested the court to order the recovery of the three sisters and their production before the bench.
The court observed that the detention notification had been issued by the deputy commissioner, who had not been included as a respondent in the petition.
After examining the report submitted by the home secretary, the LHC disposed of Shahrez Khan’s petition.
