LHC Declines Immediate Suspension of Detention Orders for Imran Khan's Sisters

On Thursday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) declined pleas to immediately suspend the detention orders for Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan, sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. The court instead issued notices to the Punjab government and other respondents, requesting their replies to the petitions challenging the detentions.

The detentions were ordered by the Lahore deputy commissioner on September 21 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), following police recommendations. As a result, both sisters were transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail, joining their sister Aleema Khan, who had already been detained a day earlier.

These actions were taken ahead of a nationwide protest and planned march on Islamabad by PTI on September 27, with demands for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and affirmation of the Constitution's supremacy.

Justice Abher Gul Khan presided over the hearing related to the petitions against the detention. Lawyers representing Noreen and Uzma sought an immediate suspension of the detention notifications, but the court rejected this request at this time. Notices were subsequently issued to respondents to provide their positions on the matter.

Representing Noreen and Uzma were lawyers Mudassir Umar and Barrister Taimur, while the Punjab government was represented by lawyer Farrukh Lodhi.

Separately, Aleema Khan had been detained earlier while leaving for a gym in Lahore and was also transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail. Her son, Shahraiz Khan, submitted a petition to the LHC contesting her and her driver’s detention under the MPO. At a hearing on September 22, the court asked for arguments regarding the maintainability of this petition and postponed the case until September 25 for further arguments.