Imran Khan’s cousin Qasim Zaman taken into custody, detention order issued

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi administration has issued the detention orders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s cousin Qasim Zaman for 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance after he was taken into custody earlier in the day.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir issued the detention order on the recommendation of the Rawalpindi City Police Officer and the District Intelligence Committee, according to the order.

Qasim Zaman was taken into custody by police from the Gorakhpur area along Adiala Road on Tuesday and was initially shifted to the Adiala police post before being moved to Saddar Beruni Police Station, according to police sources.

The MPO order described Qasim as an active worker of a political party and said he was allegedly planning an unlawful gathering that posed a threat to public order.

On September 22, Qasim had reached Adiala Jail to meet Imran Khan but was not allowed to see the PTI founder after the Islamabad High Court allowed his meetings with family members, lawyers and other associates twice a week.

He was also among PTI leaders and Imran Khan’s family members detained by Rawalpindi police in April 2025.

His detention comes as the PTI has launched a long march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Islamabad, with the party demanding, among other things, access to Imran Khan and his release.

Authorities have stepped up security and preventive measures in Rawalpindi and Islamabad amid the PTI protest, with police previously detaining scores of party leaders and workers under the MPO ahead of the march.