Key Takeaways
- The Lahore High Court (LHC) heard a petition challenging the detention of Imran Khan's sisters under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.
- Shahraiz Khan, Aleema Khan's son, filed the petition, arguing the detention orders were unlawful.
- The detentions come amid reports of a crackdown on the PTI ahead of its September 27 protest and march to Islamabad.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) heard a petition challenging the detention of former prime minister Imran Khan’s three sisters under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance on Monday.
Shahraiz Khan, Aleema Khan's son, filed the petition through Advocate Rana Mudassar Umar, arguing that the detention orders issued by the Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) were unlawful.
The petition contends that the DC failed to follow the procedure prescribed under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance and did not communicate the grounds for detention within the required period.
The detention of Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, along with Aleema Khan, follows a series of reported actions against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Punjab ahead of its September 27 protest and march to Islamabad.
The detentions come amid reports of a crackdown on the PTI, with Sahiwal police arresting Asad Khan Baloch, former mayor of the municipal corporation, and the party’s city president in Sahiwal, Muhammad Shahid Chohan.
The Lahore DC Office ordered Noreen and Uzma to be detained for 30 days under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, stating that the two were 'prejudicial to the public safety and maintenance of public order'.
The petition asks the court to set aside the detention orders and declare them unlawful, arguing that ordinary criminal law and less restrictive measures were not considered.
Party’s Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram had accused Punjab police of 'arresting both sisters of Imran, along with their children and the sons of Aleema Khan'.
The detentions have raised concerns among PTI supporters, who fear a broader crackdown on the party ahead of its planned protest.
