The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned Punjab’s home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat jail over a petition seeking the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s three sisters. The court wants both officials to appear personally with reports explaining why the women remain in custody after their detention period expired.
The hearing took place on Thursday before Justice Abher Gul Khan. The petition challenges the continued detention of Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, who have remained at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail.
Why Are Imran Khan’s Sisters Still in Custody?
Authorities detained the three sisters in September under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960. Their detention came as the PTI prepared for a planned protest march towards Islamabad, and officials ordered their detention for 30 days.
However, the detention period expired on October 19 and 20, according to a fresh petition filed by Aleema Khan’s son, Shahrez Khan. The petition maintains that the authorities have not released the three women despite the expiry of their detention orders.
Advocate Rana Mudassar Umar represented the petitioner during Thursday’s hearing. He informed the court that the detention orders had expired, yet the sisters continued to remain behind bars.
LHC Questions Absence of Deputy Commissioner
During the proceedings, Justice Abher Gul Khan asked the petitioner’s counsel why he had not included the Lahore deputy commissioner as a respondent.
The counsel explained that he had not impleaded the official because the detention notification issued by the deputy commissioner had already expired.
Meanwhile, Uzma Khan’s husband, Ahad Khan, approached the court’s rostrum and requested that the deputy commissioner also be summoned. However, the judge observed that the court could not summon the official because the petition had not named him as a party.
Following the arguments, the court adjourned the hearing until October 28. It also directed Punjab’s home secretary and the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent to appear in person and submit their reports on the matter.
What Does the Petition Say About the Detention?
In his petition filed on Wednesday, Shahrez Khan argued that the authorities had continued holding the three sisters beyond their prescribed detention period. He asked the court to order their immediate release.
The petitioner also claimed that the authorities detained the women because of their efforts to secure their brother’s release. Furthermore, he argued that preventive detention should not replace ordinary criminal law.
The petition maintains that the detention orders violate Article 10 of the Constitution and the safeguards provided under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance.
What Relief Has the Petitioner Sought?
Shahrez Khan has requested several measures from the Lahore High Court to challenge the continued detention of Imran Khan’s sisters.
The petition asks the court to direct the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent to produce the detainees before the court and “set them at liberty, in the interest of justice, equity and fair play”.
It also seeks a declaration that the detention orders are void, along with directions for the women’s release. Additionally, the petitioner has requested the suspension of the orders while the case proceeds.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 28, when the Punjab home secretary and the jail superintendent must appear with their reports. The proceedings will address the continued detention of the three sisters following the expiry of their original detention period.
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