Imran Khan's Sisters Face Month-Long Jail Term Extension in Pakistan

UPDATE - follow-up to Pakistan's Punjab government extends detention of Imran Khan's sisters by 30 days: Authorities in Pakistan have kept three sisters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in custody for an extra month. Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi, and Dr. Uzma Khan stay locked up at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore under a public safety law.

Court and Legal Steps

An assistant advocate general told the Lahore High Court that the government stretched the detention on the advice of the Lahore deputy commissioner. The court then dismissed a petition that asked for the trio to go free. Shahrez, who is Aleema Khan's son, filed this challenge. Rana Mudassar Umar, the lawyer for the petitioner, had earlier pointed out that the women stayed in prison even though their first 30-day term ended on October 20. Justice Abher Gul Khan then told the Punjab home secretary and the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent to come to the next hearing with answers.

Arrests and Party Reaction

Aleema Khan was picked up on September 20, while Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were taken the next day during a push to build support for the jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder. The former Prime Minister is 74 years old, has been in prison since August 2023, and faces many cases. PTI leaders slammed the Punjab government and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over the continued holding of the sisters when they face no criminal charges. Moonis Elahi, a former federal minister and PTI leader, called the move illegal and said the government is using preventive detention to target the party.

Context

Preventive detention laws allow governments to hold individuals without trial for a set period to stop perceived threats to public order. Such measures often fuel political tensions between ruling parties and opposition groups in Pakistan.