Authorities in Lahore have detained Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, sisters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, for 30 days under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, according to the Lahore deputy commissioner’s office as reported by The News on September 21.
The two women were moved to Kot Lakhpat jail, where their sister Aleema Khan had already been transferred after being detained a day earlier. Reuters reported on September 20 that Aleema Khan was detained for 30 days ahead of a planned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest march on Islamabad on September 27.
The News reported that the detention orders for Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan were issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner following a police recommendation. Their detention is an administrative action under the MPO; the report did not describe a criminal conviction arising from the order.
PTI leaders have criticised the detentions and said the planned march is intended to press political and constitutional demands, including Imran Khan’s release. Government authorities have separately said they intend to prevent disruption and maintain public order.
Aleema Khan’s detention has been challenged in the Lahore High Court, according to The News. The legal challenge does not itself suspend the detention order unless a court grants relief.
The latest development expands the earlier story from Aleema Khan’s detention to the detention of two additional sisters under the same public-order law.