LHC seeks reports on detention of Imran Khan's sisters and Noreen's health
The Lahore High Court on Monday sought reports from the Punjab home secretary and jail authorities on the extended detention of Imran Khan's three sisters. It also asked for details of Noreen Niazi's illness and whether the women can meet family.
- The LHC sought reports on the extended detention of Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi.
- Jail authorities must report on Noreen's illness; the prisons chief must say whether family meetings are allowed.
- The petitioners call the October 7 extension notification illegal.
The Lahore High Court on Monday sought reports from the Punjab home secretary on the continued detention of Imran Khan's sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi. It also asked jail authorities for a report on Noreen's illness.
Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal was directed to report on whether the detained sisters have been allowed to meet family members. Justice Abher Gul Khan heard petitions filed by Sakina Niazi and Shahraiz, and adjourned further proceedings until 2pm on Monday.
Petitioners' counsel Rana Mudassar Umar told the court that Noreen was seriously ill and had been admitted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology.
The sisters were detained in September under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, as PTI prepared a protest march towards Islamabad. Aleema was detained on September 20, while Uzma and Noreen were taken into custody on September 21.
The Lahore deputy commissioner issued initial 30-day orders, citing police reports alleging that the women's activities posed a threat to public safety and public order. A notification on October 7 extended the detention by another 30 days.
The petitioners challenged the October 7 notification as illegal and asked the court to declare it so. They also alleged the women were denied meetings with family and legal counsel.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja alleged that Aleema and her driver were arrested before the detention notification was issued. He said the driver, who worked on daily wages, was also taken into custody. According to The Express Tribune, Raja said: "Anyone can be picked up at any time, and courts are unable to deliver justice." He said PTI would keep holding protests and raising public issues.
Last week the court summoned the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail over the continued detention after the 30-day orders expired. On September 25 it had declined, at that stage, to suspend the detention notifications against Uzma and Noreen and sought responses from the authorities.
Why it matters
The case concerns the detention of relatives of a major political leader and the legal basis for extending public-order detentions in Punjab, which is of national interest.
