Punjab govt extends detention of Imran Khan’s sisters by 30 days, LHC told

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, by another 30 days, the Lahore High Court (LHC) was told on Monday.

A government lawyer submitted a report prepared by the Punjab home secretary to the court during the hearing of a petition seeking the recovery of the three women.

According to the report, the deputy commissioner recommended extending their detention for another 30 days after the previous period expired. The Punjab government approved the proposal, government lawyer Farukh Lodhi told the court.

Punjab Home Secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail appeared before the court in compliance with its earlier order.

Petition seeks sisters’ recovery

The petition was filed by Shahrez Khan, son of Aleema Khan, challenging the detention of Imran Khan’s sisters.

The petitioner’s counsel had argued during an earlier hearing that the detention orders for the three women had expired on October 19 and 20, and requested the court to order their recovery and production before it.

Aleema Khan was detained in Lahore in September under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. Her sisters, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, were detained the following day under the same provision.

The detentions came ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protests, including a long march towards Islamabad on September 27, to demand Imran Khan’s release and the supremacy of the Constitution.

Court proceedings

During the previous hearing, the LHC had summoned the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail to appear in person.

The court was hearing the petition seeking the recovery of the three women when the government submitted the report confirming the extension of their detention.

The government lawyer said the deputy commissioner had recommended the extension, which the provincial government subsequently approved.