Pakistan court orders meeting between Imran Khan’s detained sister Noreen Niazi and her daughters

The Lahore High Court on Monday directed authorities to allow detained PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi to meet her two daughters by Tuesday.

Justice Abher Gul Khan heard petitions challenging the extension of the three women’s detention and raising concerns over their access to family members and legal counsel.

What did the Lahore High Court order regarding Noreen Niazi’s daughters?

Justice Khan directed officials to arrange the meetings between Noreen and her daughters by November 3 and submit a compliance report on November 4.

The court also sought the provincial Home Department’s response before deciding the challenge to the extensions. Both directions came during hearings on petitions filed by relatives of the detained women.

Why are Imran Khan’s detained sisters still in custody?

The petitions were filed by Sakeena, daughter of Noreen Niazi, and Shahrez Khan, son of Aleema Khan. They challenge the extension of detention orders against Aleema, Noreen and their sister Uzma Khan, who are sisters of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The three women were detained in September under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, ahead of a planned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march to Islamabad demanding Imran’s release from prison. Aleema was taken into custody on September 20, while Noreen and Uzma were detained the following day.

All three were initially held for 30 days. After that period expired last month, their families challenged the detentions in court. The Punjab government subsequently informed the court that the orders had been extended for a further 30 days.

What did the petitioners’ lawyer argue in court?

During Monday’s proceedings, lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar argued that the extensions lacked a lawful basis. He said the Lahore deputy commissioner had issued fresh detention notifications after the initial 30-day period had ended and asked the court to declare the orders illegal.

Umar also told the court that the women had not been allowed to meet their families or consult their lawyers. The court’s direction for Noreen to meet her daughters addresses the issue of family access raised during the proceedings.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja separately raised the detention of Aleema’s driver, asking the court to consider showing leniency towards him. He said the driver’s family was deeply distressed by his detention.

What is known about Noreen Niazi’s health?

The case also involves concerns about Noreen’s health. She was transferred from Kot Lakhpat Jail to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore after her condition deteriorated, on the recommendation of prison doctors.