Separately, Rawalpindi ATC defers verdict in Aleema Khan’s November 26 protest case for fifth time<\/p>\n
The three sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan. Photo: X <\/p>\n
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The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday disposed of a petition for the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan\u2019s three sisters after the Punjab government confirmed that their detention had been extended by another 30 days.<\/p>\n
Imran\u2019s sisters were detained<\/a> in September under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, as the PTI prepared for a planned protest march towards Islamabad. Aleema was detained on September 20, while Uzma and Noreen were taken into custody on September 21. Their initial detention orders were issued for 30 days.<\/p>\n Appearing before Justice Abher Gul Khan, an assistant advocate general informed the court that the provincial government had approved the fresh detention period for Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi following a recommendation by the Lahore deputy commissioner.<\/p>\n The government\u2019s lawyer also presented a report from the home secretary, confirming that the detention orders had been renewed on October 7.<\/p>\n During the proceedings, the judge noted that the deputy commissioner had issued the detention orders but had not been included as a respondent in the case. He said the court could not grant relief beyond the scope of the petition.<\/p>\n The judge subsequently disposed of the plea brought by Shahrez Khan, Aleema\u2019s son. The petitioner was represented by lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar.<\/p>\n The petition maintained that the sisters were still being held at Kot Lakhpat jail after their original detention periods ended; October 19 in Aleema\u2019s case and October 20 for Uzma and Noreen.<\/p>\n Challenging their continued confinement, the petitioner argued that none of the women was wanted in a criminal case and that preventive detention should not be used in place of proceedings under ordinary criminal law. He asked the court to secure their immediate release and direct authorities to present them before the bench.<\/p>\n Uzma\u2019s husband, Ahad Khan, and Shahraiz Khan were also present during the hearing.<\/p>\n Last week, the LHC summoned<\/a> the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail over the continued detention of Imran\u2019s sisters despite the expiry of their 30-day detention orders.<\/p>\n Justice Khan adjourned further proceedings until October 28 and directed the two officials to appear before the court and explain why Aleema, Uzma and Noreen remained in custody after the expiry of their detention period.<\/p>\n The Lahore deputy commissioner issued the 30-day detention orders. The orders cited police reports alleging that the women\u2019s activities posed a threat to public safety and the maintenance of public order.<\/p>\n The sisters subsequently challenged their detention<\/a> in the Lahore High Court, seeking the annulment of the orders and their immediate release. On September 25, the court declined to suspend the detention notifications against Uzma and Noreen at that stage and sought responses from the relevant authorities.<\/p>\n Rawalpindi ATC defers verdict in Aleema’s Nov 26 protest case for fifth time<\/strong><\/p>\n An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Monday deferred its verdict for the fifth time in a case against Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, over the November 26, 2024 protest.<\/p>\n ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah deferred the verdict, which will now be announced on November 26. The case against Aleema was registered at Sadiqabad police station and relates to a protest held at D-Chowk in Islamabad on November 24, 2024.<\/p>\n Aleema could not appear in court as she remains detained. All 11 other accused in the case were present in the courtroom, along with defence counsel Faisal Mahmood Malik and the prosecutor.<\/p>\n Also Read: <\/strong>LHC closes Aleema Khan facilities petition<\/a><\/p>\n The case relates to the \u201cfinal call\u201d by Imran for nationwide demonstrations demanding restoration of PTI\u2019s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party leaders and reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he said had empowered a \u201cdictatorial regime\u201d.<\/p>\n Supporters from across the country gathered at D-Chowk. The government ruled out negotiations and launched an operation against protesters, prompting PTI leaders to flee. The protest ended on November 26.<\/p>\n Aleema, along with Imran’s other two sisters, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, were detained <\/a>in September under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960. The Lahore deputy commissioner issued the 30-day detention orders. The orders cited police reports alleging that the women\u2019s activities posed a threat to public safety and the maintenance of public order.<\/p>\n