As courtroom proceedings unfold in Lahore, the legal battle surrounding the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan's sisters has taken a fresh turn with a judicial summons for local administration officials. According to Geo News, Justice Abher Gul Khan of the Lahore High Court summoned the Lahore deputy commissioner over extensions in the detention of Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan, and Noreen Niazi, while also ordering a meeting between Noreen and her daughters.
The petitions were filed by Aleema Khan's son, Shahrez Khan, and Sakeena Bibi, concerning the ongoing custody of the three sisters as well as Noreen Niazi's medical treatment, Geo News reported. Lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar informed the court, as cited by Geo News, that Noreen had experienced heart-related discomfort while detained at Kot Lakhpat jail and was subsequently shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology on October 28 before being returned to jail on doctors' advice. During the proceedings, a government lawyer stated that Noreen's daughter, Hajra Niazi, had already met her mother on October 29 during her hospital treatment, according to Geo News.
Geo News reported that the three sisters have remained in custody since last month under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance in connection with the PTI's anti-government protest. Noreen and Uzma were initially detained for 30 days on September 21 ahead of a planned protest, while Aleema's detention took place a day earlier on September 20. A government lawyer told the Lahore High Court that the detentions were extended by another 30 days on the recommendation of the deputy commissioner.
Background
According to Geo News, the initial detentions occurred in late September prior to planned political demonstrations that were subsequently rescheduled. The Punjab government informed the court in late October that the detentions had been extended following recommendations by the deputy commissioner. Separately, lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar stated in court that the three sisters had spent 44 days in jail without committing any offence, requesting that a report in Aleema's case also be examined. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja previously addressed the court regarding the detention of Aleema's driver, describing him as a non-political individual and requesting leniency, as reported by Geo News.
Why it matters
The case highlights the legal procedures and administrative measures surrounding detentions under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance in Punjab. For ordinary citizens and legal observers, the proceedings underscore the ongoing judicial review of executive detentions, healthcare access for detainees in state custody, and the formal mechanisms through which family visits and official reports are requested and regulated in Pakistani courts.
What's next
According to Geo News, the Lahore High Court directed the Lahore deputy commissioner to appear in person on November 4. The court also ordered that Noreen's two daughters be allowed to meet their mother in Kot Lakhpat jail at 10am on Tuesday for an hour, following an application submitted to the deputy commissioner. Furthermore, the judge stated that the court would examine reports in both Aleema's case and the separate detention matter before proceeding further.