The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday declined a petition seeking the immediate suspension of preventive detention orders issued against Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. Both women were detained earlier this week and transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.
Justice Abher Gul Khan presided over the hearing, which challenged the legality of the detentions. Barrister Taimur Malik and Advocate Rana Mudassir represented the petitioners, while Advocate Farrukh Lodhi appeared for the Punjab government. The petitioners’ lawyers argued that Uzma and Noreen are non-political homemakers who were detained without adequate cause. They also highlighted that Dr Uzma had already been acquitted in a related case, submitting the trial court’s decision as evidence.
The counsel requested that the court immediately suspend the detention notifications issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner. However, Justice Abher stated that the court would first obtain responses from the concerned authorities before ruling on the suspension request. Notices were issued to the Lahore deputy commissioner, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), home department secretary, and Kot Lakhpat Jail superintendent, with a demand for their replies.
Dr Uzma and Noreen were taken into custody on Monday for a 30-day period under the MPO, a day after their sister Aleema Khan was also detained. Their arrests occurred ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad scheduled for September 27. The two women were apprehended late at night from their Lahore residence. Their family confirmed that the women were detained along with their children, who were subsequently released along with other family members. Following the detention orders citing potential threats to public order, both were shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail.
In a related development, Aleema Khan was detained outside her Lahore home and also transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail. The Lahore deputy commissioner issued a 30-day detention order against Aleema and PTI leader Mohammad Amir under the MPO. Following Aleema’s arrest, PTI accused the government on social media platform X of abducting her illegally, describing the authorities as an “illegal government” and alleging collusion by its facilitators. Aleema’s lawyer, Rana Mudassir Umar, condemned the arrest as unlawful, noting she had bail in all pending cases and that the family had not been informed about her whereabouts.
The detentions of PTI leaders and supporters have intensified amid strict security preparations ahead of the September 27 protest. Punjab Inspector General Rao Abdul Kareem has warned that any violations of law during the event will be dealt with firmly. The provincial government has imposed a 13-day ban on public gatherings and prohibited incitement to unlawful assembly. Additionally, Section 144 has been enforced in Islamabad.
To maintain order, the Punjab government has requested the deployment of Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Mianwali until October 5. Restrictions on mobile and internet services will also be imposed at designated locations in Rawalpindi and Attock on the day of the protest.
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