LHC declines to suspend detention of Imran Khan's sisters, seeks replies

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday declined to immediately suspend the detention orders against PTI founder Imran Khan's sisters, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, and sought replies from Punjab authorities. The two women were detained Monday for 30 days under the Punjab MPO law ahead of PTI's planned Sept. 27 protest.

Why did the LHC decline to suspend the detention orders?

Justice Abher Gul Khan said the court would first obtain reports from the relevant authorities and hear their position. Only then will it decide whether to suspend the detention orders. It issued notices to the Lahore deputy commissioner, the capital city police officer, the Home Department secretary and the Kot Lakhpat Jail superintendent.

What did the petitioners argue in court?

Justice Abher Gul Khan heard the petitions challenging the detentions. Sakeena Niazi, daughter of Noreen Niazi, filed one of them. Barrister Taimur Malik and Advocate Rana Mudassir Umer appeared as counsel for the petitioners.

The lawyers argued that both women were non-political and had been detained without justification. They told the court that Dr Uzma Khan had already been acquitted in a case registered against her and submitted a copy of the trial court's decision declaring her innocent.

They also presented copies of two recent orders by the LHC's Multan bench that set aside preventive detention orders against people affiliated with PTI. The lawyers asked the court to immediately suspend the detention notifications issued against Uzma and Noreen.

Why were Imran Khan's sisters detained?

Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained Monday for 30 days under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960. Their sister Aleema Khan had been detained under the same law a day earlier.

The detentions came ahead of PTI's planned nationwide protest and march to Islamabad on Sept. 27.

Where is Aleema Khan now?

Aleema Khan, another sister of Imran Khan, was detained under the same MPO law a day before Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi. A separate petition challenging her detention was heard Tuesday.

Justice Abher sought arguments on whether that petition was maintainable and adjourned the matter until Friday for further arguments.

What did the lawyers say after the hearing?

Barrister Taimur Malik said on X that the Lahore High Court had admitted the petition and sought a report from the Punjab government. He expressed hope that the court would set a short date and that the women would be released soon.

Advocate Rana Mudassir Umer also said on X that the court had not immediately suspended the detention orders but had issued notices and sought reports from the Punjab government. He said the orders should have been suspended the same day. In his view, the justification the deputy commissioner gave in the MPO order was based on falsehoods.