LHC seeks separate plea for medical care of Imran’s sister

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the lawyer representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, to submit a separate application seeking proper medical treatment and permission for her family to meet her in custody.

Justice Abher Gul Khan issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by Sakeena Niazi, challenging the continued detention of Imran Khan’s sisters, Noreen and Dr Uzma Khan, under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law.

Noreen, 70, was recently shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) after her health reportedly deteriorated in detention. Her lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umer, confirmed the hospitalisation in a post on X on Wednesday.

During Friday’s hearing, the court asked whether the petitioner had formally requested medical facilities and family access from the relevant authorities. Advocate Umer told the court that an application had already been submitted to the deputy commissioner.

The judge directed him to also raise the matter through a separate civil miscellaneous application before the court.

Umer also challenged the legal grounds for extending the detention of the two sisters. He argued that the latest detention orders were almost identical to the previous notifications, with only the dates changed. He maintained that there was no valid justification for keeping the women in custody and that suspending the fresh orders could lead to their release.

Referring to Noreen’s hospitalisation, the lawyer questioned the circumstances that had led to her transfer to hospital, saying she had no previous history of heart disease.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also appeared before the court and expressed concern over Noreen’s condition. He said she was reportedly unwell and had been shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU). However, her family members and lawyer had allegedly not been allowed to meet her.

Raja further told the court that he had no confirmed information about whether Noreen was still receiving treatment at the hospital or had been moved back to jail.

The court also sought an update on the return of the home secretary, who was reportedly out of the country. Additional Advocate General Nasir Chohan assured the judge that he would verify the information and submit an update.

Imran Khan’s sisters were arrested in September under Section 3 of the MPO as the PTI prepared for a protest march towards Islamabad. Their initial detention orders were issued for 30 days. Noreen and Uzma’s detention was due to expire on October 20, while the order concerning Aleema Khan was set to end on October 19.

However, the sisters remained in custody after the initial period ended. The Punjab government subsequently informed the LHC on October 7 that their detention had been extended.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah had said the government would look into reports that Noreen’s relatives were being denied access to her. He also pledged to make efforts to ensure that her family could meet her.

Sanaullah said Noreen had been shifted to hospital soon after complaining of poor health. He described her condition as stable and said her medical tests had returned normal results.