The Lahore High Court on Monday summoned the Lahore deputy commissioner over extensions in the detention of Imran Khan's sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, and ordered that Noreen's two daughters be allowed to meet her in Kot Lakhpat jail. Justice Abher Gul Khan directed the DC to appear in person on 4 November and said the daughters' meeting should take place at 10am on Tuesday for one hour. The petitions were filed by Noreen's daughter Sakeena and by Shahrez Khan, the son of Aleema Khan.
Why the court intervened
Counsel Rana Mudassar Umar told the court that the detentions of Aleema, Noreen and Uzma Khan had been extended "unlawfully". He said that after the first 30-day period ended, the Lahore deputy commissioner issued a fresh notification extending custody. The counsel also claimed the women had not been allowed to meet family members or lawyers, and asked the court to declare the new detention notifications "illegal".
PTI Secretary General Advocate Salman Akram Raja informed the court that Aleema's driver had also been detained and urged leniency. Justice Khan said the court had sought reports in both matters and would examine them before proceeding further. A Punjab government lawyer told the court Noreen had been treated in hospital and returned to jail on doctors' advice, and that her daughter Hajra Niazi had already met her on 29 October during that treatment.
How the detentions unfolded
Aleema, Noreen and Uzma were detained under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 — a provincial law that allows preventive custody — in September as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf prepared a protest march to Islamabad seeking Imran Khan's release from prison. Aleema was detained on 20 September for 30 days; Noreen and Uzma were detained the next day for the same period.
After that first period lapsed last month, their detention was challenged in court. The Punjab government then told the court that the periods had been extended for another 30 days. Petitioners now contest that second round of custody as part of the wider Imran Khan sisters detention dispute.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 20 September: Aleema Khan detained for 30 days under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.
- 21 September: Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan detained for 30 days under the same ordinance.
- Last month: The initial 30-day period lapsed; detention was challenged, and the Punjab government informed the court of a further 30-day extension.
- Friday: The Lahore High Court directed Noreen's lawyer to file a separate application seeking medical treatment and family meetings.
- Monday: Justice Abher Gul Khan sought Punjab Home Department reports by 2pm on the extension pleas and related requests.
Health concerns and next steps
Among the three detainees, Noreen was shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore after her health deteriorated, on the recommendation of doctors at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where she has been held. Adviser to the prime minister on political affairs Rana Sanaullah later told the Senate that Noreen was fine after receiving medical treatment in Lahore.
The court will examine the reports and take up the sisters' detention again when the Lahore DC appears on 4 November. Separately, Noreen's daughters are to meet her in Kot Lakhpat jail at 10am on Tuesday.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Lahore High Court ne Imran Khan ki teen behnon ki hirast ke bare mein Lahore DC ko 4 November ko hazir hone ko kaha hai, aur Noreen ki betiyon ko mangal ko jail mein mulakat ki ijazat di hai. Aleema, Noreen aur Uzma ko September mein MPO ke tehat rokha gaya tha; muddat barhai gayi. Court reports dekh kar agla faisla karegi.
