Government pledges family access to detained Noreen Niazi

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday that the government would examine complaints that relatives of detained Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, had been prevented from visiting her during medical treatment. Addressing the Senate, he said officials would try to ensure that her family received access.

Noreen, 70, was taken from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology after experiencing health problems while in custody. Her lawyer said the family had neither been informed about her transfer nor allowed to meet her at the hospital, prompting concern about her condition and the arrangements governing contact with relatives.

Sanaullah told lawmakers that he would seek information from the relevant authorities about the reported restrictions. He said Noreen was moved to hospital as soon as she complained of feeling unwell and maintained that her condition was stable, adding that the medical examinations conducted so far had produced normal results.

The government adviser defended her continued detention by alleging that she had sought to mobilise unrest during the PTI’s planned march towards Islamabad. Noreen was detained on September 21 under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960. An initial 30-day detention order was subsequently extended for another month, with the current period due to end on November 20.

The issue generated a heated exchange in the upper house, where PTI Senator Mashal Azam Yousafzai protested during Sanaullah’s remarks and the chair repeatedly called for order. Opposition members have raised concerns about the treatment of Noreen and other members of Imran Khan’s family, while officials maintain that custody and medical arrangements are being handled according to law.

Sanaullah also addressed questions about the facilities available to Imran Khan in detention. He said reports covering food, amenities and other services had been submitted to the Supreme Court and asserted that there was no discrepancy between the information presented to the court and the account provided by the jail superintendent.

Responding to Senator Ali Zafar, the adviser said lawmakers were entitled to debate the matter but noted that Imran’s incarceration remained before the courts. He argued that the former prime minister was in judicial custody and that his party should pursue relief through the judicial process because appeals concerning his detention were already pending.

The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of medical access and visitation rights for political detainees. Imran’s relatives and party representatives have repeatedly sought clearer information, regular family contact and access to personal physicians, while authorities have cited legal procedures and security requirements when explaining restrictions.

The government’s next step will be to determine which authority imposed the reported visitation restriction and whether relatives can be permitted to see Noreen while she remains under treatment or in custody. Any decision granting access could ease immediate concerns, although disputes over the detention orders and the treatment of PTI figures are likely to continue through political and legal channels.