The Lahore High Court directs the two officials to appear in person on October 28 as a petition challenges the continued detention of Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan beyond their 30-day detention period.

LAHORE, Pakistan — October 22, 2026: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned Punjab’s home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail to appear in person on October 28 in a case concerning the continued detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s three sisters.

Justice Abher Gul Khan issued the direction on Thursday while hearing a petition filed by Shahrez Khan, son of Aleema Khan, challenging the detention of Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

According to Geo News, the petition seeks the production and release of the three women, who remain in custody at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Detention Period Challenged in Court

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel told the court that the detention orders for the three sisters had expired on October 19 and 20, but they had not been released.

Aleema Khan was detained on September 20, while Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan were detained on September 21. The authorities had ordered their detention for 30 days under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.

The detentions took place ahead of a PTI protest planned for September 27, which was later moved to October 4.

The petition argues that keeping the women in custody after the authorised period has expired is unlawful and violates their fundamental rights. These are the petitioner’s claims; the court has yet to issue a final ruling on the legality of their continued detention.

Court Questions Absence of Lahore Deputy Commissioner

During the proceedings, Justice Abher Gul Khan asked the petitioner’s counsel why the Lahore deputy commissioner had not been included as a respondent in the case.

The counsel responded that the deputy commissioner had not been named because the detention notification issued by the official had expired.

Uzma Khan’s husband, Ahed Khan, requested that the court summon the deputy commissioner as well. The judge observed that the official could not be summoned in the case because the deputy commissioner had not been made a party to the petition.

Fresh Petition Seeks Release of Three Sisters

Shahrez Khan filed the fresh petition on Wednesday, seeking the production and release of his mother and two aunts. The petition names the Punjab home secretary, inspector general of police, Lahore capital city police officer and Kot Lakhpat Jail superintendent as respondents.

It asks the court to declare the detention orders unlawful, suspend their operation and direct the jail superintendent to produce the three women before the court and release them.

The petition also contends that preventive detention should not be used as a substitute for ordinary criminal proceedings. These arguments remain subject to the court’s consideration and any response submitted by the authorities.

Next Hearing Scheduled for October 28

The Lahore High Court has directed the Punjab home secretary and the Kot Lakhpat Jail superintendent to appear in person on October 28. Their appearance is expected to help the court examine the circumstances surrounding the continued detention.

No final order releasing the three sisters was reported in the hearing covered by Geo News. The case remains pending, and the court’s next proceedings will determine how the matter progresses.