LHC seeks reports on Imran Khan’s sisters’ jail facilities

LHC seeks reports on Imran Khan’s sisters’ jail facilities

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday sought reports on the provision of medicines, clothing and other essential items to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, who remain detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

Justice Abher Gul Khan heard petitions challenging the detention orders against the three women, along with applications seeking access to basic necessities during their detention.

The applications were filed by Aleema Khan’s son, Shahrez Khan, and Noreen Niazi’s daughter, Sakeena Niazi, through their lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umar. The counsel urged the court to ensure that the detained women received their prescribed medicines, clothes, books and other essential items.

During the hearing, the lawyer told the court that 19 days had passed without the provision of the required medicines and clothing. He added that separate applications had also been filed to secure basic necessities for Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi.

Justice Abher observed that the women had previously received clothes and medicines but later complained that the items had not been provided.

In response, the counsel clarified that the authorities had supplied the items in compliance with an earlier court order. He requested further directions to ensure that jail authorities allowed medicines, clothing, books and other necessities for all three women.

The judge directed the lawyer to submit a written list of the required items, explaining that jail authorities would permit only those items specifically approved by the court. However, the court declined the request to allow food items into the jail.

Justice Abher said the court would seek reports on the applications concerning the provision of essential supplies.

The counsel also requested an early hearing of the main petitions challenging the detention orders. The judge said the immediate priority was to ensure the delivery of medicines and clothing, while the main petitions could be considered later.

The judge further asked the lawyer to decide whether he wanted to proceed with the miscellaneous applications or argue the main petitions, noting that the former would have to be set aside if he chose to pursue the main cases.

The court adjourned further proceedings on the detention petitions until October 12.

The three sisters were detained for 30 days under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance, 1960, ahead of PTI’s planned protest march towards Islamabad. Aleema Khan was taken into custody on September 20, while Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained the following day.