Sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, were released from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail on Thursday.
PTI legal counsel Rana Mudassar Umer confirmed the release in a post on the social media platform X, stating that both women had returned home “safely”. According to Dawn, Umer stated the release followed the withdrawal of their extended detention orders.
Kot Lakhpat Jail Superintendent Chaudhry Ijaz Asghar confirmed to The Express Tribune that the two were released after 50 days in detention and were handed over to Noreen's daughter, Hajra Niazi. Sources cited by Aaj News stated that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan played a key role in securing their release through special efforts.
The sisters were originally arrested on September 21 under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, ahead of a planned PTI protest march toward Islamabad on September 27. Their initial detention orders were issued for 30 days and were later extended for another 30 days.
The arrests occurred shortly after their sister, Aleema Khan, was detained on September 20. The PTI had previously condemned the arrests of Noreen and Uzma, claiming they and their children were taken in an armored vehicle to an undisclosed location. The party described the action as an illegal and high-handed abuse of authority, a violation of fundamental rights, and an act of political victimisation.
While Noreen and Uzma have been released, Aleema Khan remains incarcerated at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
