The Punjab government approved a further 30-day detention period for Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, according to a report submitted to the Lahore High Court.
LAHORE: The Punjab government has extended the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, by another 30 days, the Lahore High Court (LHC) was told on Monday.
A government lawyer submitted a report prepared by the Punjab home secretary during the hearing of a petition seeking the recovery and production of the three women before the court.
According to the report, the deputy commissioner recommended extending their detention for another 30 days after the previous detention period expired. The provincial government subsequently approved the recommendation, government lawyer Farukh Lodhi told the court.
Punjab Home Secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail appeared before the court in compliance with an earlier order summoning them in connection with the case.
Petition challenges detention
The petition was filed by Shahrez Khan, son of Aleema Khan, challenging the detention of Imran Khan’s sisters and seeking their recovery.
During an earlier hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the detention orders for the three women had expired on Oct. 19 and 20. The lawyer asked the court to order their recovery and ensure that they were produced before it.
The latest report informed the court that the provincial government had approved a fresh 30-day detention period following the deputy commissioner’s recommendation.
Detentions under MPO Ordinance
Aleema Khan was detained in Lahore in September under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. Her sisters, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, were detained the following day under the same provision.
The detentions came ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protests, including a long march towards Islamabad scheduled for Sept. 27. The party had planned the demonstrations to demand Imran Khan’s release and the supremacy of the Constitution.
The three women’s detention has been challenged through the petition filed in the Lahore High Court, with the petitioner seeking their recovery and production before the court.
Court proceedings
During the previous hearing, the LHC had summoned the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail to appear in person.
Both officials appeared in compliance with the court’s order as proceedings continued on the petition concerning the women’s detention.
The government’s report, presented during Monday’s hearing, stated that the deputy commissioner had recommended extending the detention for another 30 days after the earlier period expired. The Punjab government approved the proposal, according to the government lawyer.
The court was hearing the petition seeking the recovery of Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi when the government submitted the report confirming the extension.
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