After Aleema, Imran Khan’s sisters Uzma, Noreen also detained
PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, have been detained for 30 days under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. According to the orders, the authorities considered the two women a potential threat to public safety and the maintenance of public order.
The orders also alleged that Uzma and Noreen had been involved in protests and had mobilised workers through social media and public meetings. Both women were shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail following their detention. Their detention came one day after their sister, Aleema Khan, was also detained under the MPO in Lahore.
Detentions come ahead of PTI protest
The latest detentions have taken place ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad on September 27.
PTI has said the protest is aimed at seeking the release of Imran Khan and raising its political and constitutional demands. The party has maintained that its planned march will be peaceful and political.
The government, however, has been making security arrangements in Islamabad and other areas ahead of the planned protest. The authorities have said they will take steps to maintain law and order and prevent any violation of court orders.
Aleema Khan detained earlier
Uzma and Noreen’s detention followed the detention of their sister, Aleema Khan.
Lahore’s deputy commissioner had ordered Aleema’s detention or arrest for 30 days under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960. Police later shifted her to Kot Lakhpat Jail.
According to the detention order, police had recommended action against Aleema on grounds related to public safety and the maintenance of public order. Her detention came amid growing political tensions surrounding PTI’s planned September 27 protest.
Police detain family members
Reports also emerged that other members of Imran Khan’s family were taken into custody during the developments in Lahore.
According to reports, some family members were briefly detained before being released. The detention of Uzma and Noreen was later confirmed through the Lahore deputy commissioner’s orders.
Their detention orders stated that they would remain in custody at Kot Lakhpat Jail for 30 days. The development has drawn further attention because the detentions involve members of the PTI founder’s family.
What does the MPO allow?
The Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance allows authorities to order preventive detention in situations where they believe a person could pose a threat to public safety or public order.
In this case, the Lahore deputy commissioner issued the detention orders under Section 3 of the MPO. The orders cited police reports and allegations concerning the women’s involvement in political activity and protests.
The authorities have stated that the action was taken to maintain public order. The detention orders also provide a legal mechanism through which the detainees can make a representation against the detention to the provincial government.
PTI protests against detentions
PTI has strongly criticised the arrests and detentions involving Imran Khan’s family.
The party has described the actions against its members as unlawful and politically motivated while demanding their release. These are PTI’s allegations and have not been independently established as facts.
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PTI has also continued to say that its September 27 protest will remain peaceful. The party’s leadership has linked the planned march to its demands concerning Imran Khan and what it describes as the supremacy of the Constitution.
Government increases security preparations
The latest detentions come as authorities are preparing for possible political activity in Islamabad and other parts of the country.
Security arrangements have been increased in the federal capital ahead of the September 27 protest. Authorities are also concerned about possible road blockages, public disruption and clashes during political gatherings.
The government has said that public movement and access to important facilities must not be blocked. The Islamabad High Court has also issued directions concerning the use of public roads and government resources during political protests.
Political tensions continue to rise
The detention of Uzma and Noreen has added another development to the growing political dispute between the government and PTI. The party is preparing for its planned September 27 protest, while the government has warned against any activity that violates the law or court orders.
The detention of three of Imran Khan’s sisters within a short period has also attracted wider attention. Authorities have linked the detention orders to public-order concerns, while PTI has rejected the allegations and criticised the government’s actions.
What happens next?
Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi are expected to remain in custody under the 30-day detention orders unless the orders are withdrawn or otherwise changed through the relevant legal process. The September 27 protest remains a major focus for both PTI and the government.
Further developments are likely to depend on court proceedings, government decisions, and PTI’s plans for the protest. The authorities are expected to continue security preparations as the protest date approaches.
