LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved another 30 days of preventive detention for former prime minister Imran Khan’s three sisters, the Lahore High Court was informed on Monday, October 26, as it disposed of a petition seeking their release.
Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi remain detained at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. Authorities initially took them into custody in September under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned protest march towards Islamabad.
During proceedings before Justice Abher Gul Khan, an assistant advocate general said the provincial government had approved the extension following a recommendation from the Lahore deputy commissioner.
The government’s lawyer submitted a report on behalf of the Punjab home secretary, informing the court that the detention period had been extended on October 7.
The submission came in response to a petition challenging the women’s continued confinement after their original detention periods had reportedly expired.
Representing the petitioner, lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar requested directions for the recovery of all three women and their production before the court.
Justice Khan observed that the deputy commissioner, who had issued the detention orders, had not been included as a respondent in the petition.
The judge said the court could not issue directions beyond the scope of the application before it. Following consideration of the home secretary’s report, the court disposed of the petition.
The proceedings therefore concluded without the release order requested by the petitioner.
Petition Challenges Continued Custody
Aleema Khan’s son, Shahrez Khan, filed the petition, maintaining that his mother and two aunts remained imprisoned despite the expiry of their initial 30-day detention orders.
According to the petition, Aleema’s original detention period ended on October 19, while those of Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi expired on October 20.
The petitioner argued that keeping the women in custody beyond those dates was unlawful. He also maintained that they were not wanted in any criminal case and that preventive detention could not substitute for proceedings under ordinary criminal law.
These assertions formed part of the petitioner’s arguments before the court.
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Aleema Khan was detained on September 20, while Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were taken into custody the following day.
Their arrests came as PTI prepared for a march towards Islamabad. Each woman was initially placed under preventive detention for 30 days.
