Imran Khan’s sisters Noreen and Uzma arrested, moved to Kot Lakhpat jail

LAHORE: The other two sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, have been arrested and transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, according to family sources and officials. Earlier, Aleema Khan had been arrested on Sunday.

The arrests reportedly took place late Sunday night as authorities continued a crackdown ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protest on September 27.

Family members said Noreen and Uzma were taken into custody along with their children. The children and other relatives were later released, according to the family.

Sisters placed under 30-day detention

Following their arrest under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law, Noreen and Uzma were transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner issued detention orders for both women, directing that they be held for 30 days. According to the order, the arrests were made amid concerns that their activities could pose a threat to public order.

The latest arrests came a day after police detained another of Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, outside her residence in Lahore and transferred her to Kot Lakhpat jail.

The Lahore deputy commissioner subsequently issued a 30-day detention order against Aleema Khan and PTI leader Muhammad Amir under the MPO law.

According to the notification, the orders followed recommendations from the District Intelligence Committee. Police reports cited in the notification said there were concerns that the two could contribute to a disruption of law and order.

PTI alleges illegal detention

Following Aleema Khan’s arrest, PTI alleged on social media that she had been “abducted” outside her home by what the party described as an “illegal government” and its supporters.

Aleema Khan’s lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umar, also challenged the legality of her detention, saying she had bail in all cases registered against her in Lahore.

The lawyer said the family and legal team had not been informed about where Aleema Khan was being held or which police station had custody of her.

Authorities have cited public-order concerns as the basis for the detentions.

Arrests ahead of September 27 protest

The detention of all three of Imran Khan’s sisters comes as PTI prepares for a nationwide protest and a planned march towards Islamabad on September 27.

The party has said the demonstrations are aimed at demanding Imran Khan’s release.

The arrests have added to political tensions surrounding PTI, which continues to call for action over the former prime minister’s imprisonment while authorities maintain that measures against party members are being taken under applicable laws and security considerations.

Afridi warns of growing unrest

Meanwhile earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had alleged that the sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and their children were abducted, describing the incident as another sign of the deteriorating rule of law in the country.

In a video message, Afridi said he travelled to Lahore after learning that the homes of Khan’s sisters had been surrounded.

He claimed that the women and their children were taken away before he could reach Lahore.

“Before I could reach Lahore, the sisters of the PTI founder and their children were abducted,” Afridi said.

The chief minister further alleged that children aged four and six were also among those who had gone missing. Afridi also claimed that an attempt had been made to abduct a provincial minister from his cabinet, although he did not provide further details about the alleged incident.

The KP chief minister accused those in power of pushing the country towards civil conflict and said constitutional and legal protections were not being observed.

“Those in power are trying to push the country towards civil war,” Afridi said.

He also alleged that influential individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were removing PTI flags, banners and other party displays. The chief minister called for adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law, warning that continued political confrontation could further deepen instability in the country.