Key Takeaways
- Lahore High Court seeks report on provision of medicines and clothes to Imran’s detained sisters.
- The sisters have been in detention for nearly three weeks under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
- Justice Abher Gul Khan adjourned the hearing to October 12.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered a report on the provision of medicines, clothes, and other basic facilities to the detained sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan. The sisters, Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi, and Dr Uzma Khan, have been in custody for nearly three weeks under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO).
The court heard applications filed by the sisters' family members, who alleged that the detainees have not been provided with essential items. The counsel for the petitioners, Rana Mudassar Umar, stated that 19 days had passed since their detention, but the sisters had not received medicines and clothes.
Justice Abher Gul Khan observed that Aleema had been provided with clothes and medicines, but only on court orders. The court directed the jail authorities to provide Noreen with books, medicines, and other essential items. The counsel requested permission to provide medicines, clothes, books, and food items to the sisters.
The court adjourned the hearing to October 12, stating that it would seek reports from the jail superintendent on the applications. The judge also asked the counsel to decide whether to argue the main petition challenging the preventive detention or pursue the miscellaneous applications first.
On September 24, the LHC had turned down a request to immediately suspend the preventive detention notifications issued against Noreen and Dr Uzma. The court's decision came after Qasim Zaman, Imran’s cousin, was also taken into custody under the MPO when he went to Adiala jail to meet the ex-prime minister.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of the arrests and detentions of several PTI members and workers, including provincial ministers and lawmakers, as the party's long march continues. Imran’s sisters usually visit Adiala every week to meet with their brother, but they have not been able to do so since their detentions.
The court's decision highlights the ongoing legal challenges faced by the PTI and its leaders, as the party continues to protest against the preventive detention of its members.
19 days had passed since their detention, but the three sisters had not been provided with medicines and clothes.
Rana Mudassar Umar, Counsel for the petitioners
