Imran sisters detention has been extended once again as the Punjab government approved another 30 days for the three sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan. The Lahore High Court received this update on Monday when a government lawyer presented a fresh report from the Punjab home secretary.
Aleema Khan was first detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance on 20 September in Lahore and moved to Kot Lakhpat jail. The next day her sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were also taken into custody on the same grounds after police recommendations. These detentions took place just before PTI’s planned nationwide protest and long march to Islamabad demanding the release of Imran Khan and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Aleema Khan’s son Shahrez Khan filed a petition in the Lahore High Court on 20 October seeking the release of the three sisters. During an earlier hearing the court had ordered the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat jail to appear in person. Both officials attended the latest hearing as directed.
The petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that the original detention orders had already expired on 19 and 20 October. In response the government lawyer stated that the deputy commissioner had recommended a further extension and the Punjab government had accepted that proposal. As a result the detention of all three sisters was extended by another 30 days. The lawyer also clarified that the fresh extension order was issued on 7 October.
After examining the home secretary’s report the court disposed of Shahrez Khan’s petition. The petitioner’s counsel still requested that the three sisters be produced before the court. The bench noted that the detention notification had been issued by the deputy commissioner, yet that official had not been made a party to the case.
The development keeps the three sisters in custody for the coming weeks while the legal process continues in the Lahore High Court.
