Imran Khan's Sisters Uzma, Noreen Detained for 30 Days

LAHORE: Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, have been detained for 30 days under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order as political tensions rise ahead of the party's planned September 27 march toward Islamabad.

The Lahore deputy commissioner issued the detention orders following a recommendation from police, with authorities citing concerns over a potential threat to public order. The two women were subsequently transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail, where their sister Aleema Khan had already been taken following her detention a day earlier.

Police had also detained members of the family during the operation at Aleema Khan's residence. Her sons Shahrez Khan and Sher Shah were among those briefly taken into custody, according to their lawyer Rana Mudassir. He later confirmed that the two men had been released, while Uzma and Noreen remained detained under the 30-day orders.

Mudassir said Uzma and Noreen were moved to Kot Lakhpat Jail at around 2am. Their detention followed the earlier action against Aleema, who was taken into custody in Lahore under the same public-order provision and transferred to the jail. Her personal vehicle was also taken to a police station following the detention.

The developments come days before PTI's planned nationwide demonstrations and march toward Islamabad on September 27. The party says the mobilisation is intended to press for Imran Khan's release and advance its constitutional and political demands. Authorities, meanwhile, have intensified security preparations in and around the federal capital ahead of the planned gathering.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the detention of Aleema Khan and warned that such measures could increase political tensions. He maintained that the party intends its planned march to remain peaceful and political and said its leadership does not seek confrontation or violence.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi separately warned PTI against attempting to bring Islamabad to a standstill and said the government would enforce the law and relevant court orders if the march proceeds. He said authorities intended to develop a lasting approach to repeated protest-related disruptions while urging the party leadership to reconsider tactics that could lead to confrontation.

The detention of all three sisters adds another dimension to the political standoff ahead of September 27. Attention will now focus on any legal challenges to the detention orders, further action by provincial authorities and the scale of PTI's mobilisation, while security agencies continue preparations for possible demonstrations in Islamabad and other cities.