Punjab extends detention of Imran Khan's sisters by 30 days, LHC told
The Punjab government has extended the detention of Imran Khan's three sisters by another 30 days, the Lahore High Court was told. The court then disposed of a petition seeking their recovery.
- Detention of Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi extended by 30 days
- Government lawyer told the LHC the extension was made on October 7
- LHC disposed of the petition filed by Aleema Khan's son after reviewing the home secretary's report
The Punjab government has extended the detention of Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, sisters of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, by another 30 days. A government lawyer informed the Lahore High Court of this on Monday.
The lawyer submitted a report prepared by the Punjab home secretary in connection with a petition seeking the sisters' release. According to the lawyer, the deputy commissioner had sent the government a proposal recommending further detention, and the government approved it. He said the extension was made on October 7.
Geo News reported that Aleema Khan was detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 (MPO) on September 20 in Lahore and moved to Kot Lakhpat jail. Her sisters Noreen and Uzma were detained under the same provision a day later, on a police recommendation. The detentions came before a nationwide PTI protest, including a planned long march on Islamabad on September 27.
The petition was filed on October 20 by Aleema Khan's son, Shahrez Khan. At an earlier hearing the court had summoned the Punjab home secretary and the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent in person for October 28. The petitioner's counsel had said the detention orders had expired on October 19 and 20.
Justice Abhar Gul Khan heard the case. The home secretary and the jail superintendent appeared before the court. Aleema Khan's son and Uzma Khan's husband, Ahad Khan, were also present. Rana Mudassar Umar appeared as the petitioner's lawyer.
The petitioner's counsel asked the court to order that the three sisters be recovered and presented in court. According to Express News, he said he was aware that the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments would come up in the matter. The court replied that it could not pass any order beyond what the petition sought.
The court noted that the detention notification had been issued by the deputy commissioner, but the petitioner had not made that official a party to the case. After reviewing the home secretary's report, the court disposed of the petition.
Why it matters
The detention of close relatives of a major political leader is a closely followed political and legal matter in Pakistan. The court's disposal of the petition leaves the sisters in detention under the extended order.
