Pakistani police arrested Aleema Khan on 3 September in Lahore, citing the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. The 30‑day detention order was signed by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ijaz. The move comes hours before PTI plans a protest on 27 September.
Aleema, 73‑year‑old sister of former prime minister Imran Khan, had been campaigning for his release since his 2023 arrest. She was transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail, and PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram demanded she be brought before the court immediately.
Noreen Niazi, another sister, said she learned of the arrest while leaving home. "I do not know why they are so worried that they are arresting women as well," she told Geo News.
The 2023 arrest followed a no‑confidence vote in April 2022 that ousted Khan from power. He now faces multiple legal cases, fueling PTI’s claim of political persecution.
PTI has scheduled a mass protest on 27 September to pressure the government to release Khan. The party’s leaders are urging supporters to mobilize, with a legal challenge to the detention order already filed in the High Court.
The court hearing is set for 4 October, after which PTI expects a decision on whether the 30‑day order can be upheld or lifted. The protest’s outcome could set a precedent for political detentions across the country.