The release of Imran Khan’s sisters has been sought before the Lahore High Court (LHC) in a fresh petition filed on Wednesday, which states that the three women remain in custody even though the 30-day period of their detention has lapsed. The petition was filed by Shahrez Khan, the son of detained Aleema Khan, who asked the court to order the production and release of his mother and his two aunts, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan.
Background to the Detentions
All three sisters of the jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder were detained by authorities in September under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, as the party prepared for a planned protest march towards Islamabad. Their detention was ordered for 30 days. Reports at the time said the march, scheduled for September 27, was meant to press for Imran Khan’s release. Aleema Khan was taken into custody first, and Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained a day later, according to Geo News. The three were held in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.
What the Petition Argues
According to Dawn, the petition says the detention orders were issued on September 20 and expired on October 19, yet the jail authorities have not released the sisters despite requests. The petitioner contends that the continued confinement is against the law and the fundamental rights of the individuals concerned. Geo had earlier reported that the Lahore deputy commissioner ordered the detention of Noreen and Uzma on September 21, so the exact dates of the individual orders may differ slightly.
The petition makes several further arguments. It states that none of the three women is wanted in any case, and it raises concern that they could be implicated in false criminal cases if they are not released. It also argues that their detention was a consequence of their efforts to secure their brother’s release. On the legal side, the petitioner submits that preventive detention cannot substitute for ordinary criminal law and that the orders violate Article 10 of the Constitution, which deals with safeguards for arrested and detained persons, as well as the safeguards contained in Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. These are the petitioner’s contentions and have not yet been tested by the court.
Relief Sought From the Lahore High Court
Filed through Advocate Rana Mudassar Umar, the plea names the Punjab Home Secretary, who acts as the grievance redressal commissioner, the Inspector General of police, the Lahore capital city police officer and the Superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail as respondents. The petitioner asks the court to direct the jail superintendent to produce the detainees and set them at liberty in the interest of justice, equity and fair play. He also seeks a declaration that the detention orders are void and the suspension of their operation. The petition has been fixed for hearing on Thursday before Justice Abher Gul Khan.
Earlier Proceedings Before the Court
This is not the first time the detentions have reached the court. In September, Justice Abher Gul Khan heard petitions against the detention of Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan and declined to suspend the orders immediately, instead issuing notices to the Punjab government and other respondents, as reported by Geo and Dunya News. A separate petition concerning Aleema Khan was also heard, with the judge seeking arguments on whether that plea was maintainable. Lawyers for the sisters had cited recent orders of the LHC’s Multan bench that set aside preventive detention orders against people affiliated with PTI.
Release of Imran Khan’s Sisters: What to Watch
The outcome now depends on how the court treats the expiry of the 30-day period and the respondents’ explanation for the continued custody. The respondents have not publicly commented in the reports reviewed. The hearing before Justice Abher Gul Khan on Thursday will show whether the authorities contest the claim that the orders have lapsed, and whether the court orders the release of Imran Khan’s sisters or seeks further replies.
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
