The Lahore High Court seeks the appearance of Punjab’s home secretary and Kot Lakhpat Jail superintendent in proceedings concerning the detention of Imran Khan’s sisters.
WEB DESK: 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 and explain why the three sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan remain in custody after their 30-day detention orders expired.
Justice Abher Gul Khan issued the directions on Thursday while hearing a petition filed by Shahrez Khan, the son of Aleema Khan, challenging the continued detention of Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan.
Court seeks explanation over continued detention
The three women were detained in September under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, amid preparations for a PTI protest march towards Islamabad.
According to the petition, the detention orders expired on October 19 and 20, but the sisters remained at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. Their lawyer argued that holding them beyond the authorised period was unlawful and sought court intervention.
The court has directed the Punjab home secretary and jail superintendent to appear personally and submit reports explaining the circumstances surrounding the continued detention.
Petition challenges legality of detention
The petition asks the court to declare the detention orders unlawful, suspend their operation and direct the authorities to produce the three women before the court and release them.
The petitioner also contends that preventive detention should not replace ordinary criminal proceedings and raises constitutional concerns under Article 10 and the safeguards provided by the MPO Ordinance. These are arguments made in the petition, not a final judicial determination.
During the hearing, Justice Abher Gul Khan questioned why Lahore’s deputy commissioner had not been named as a respondent. The petitioner’s counsel said the official had not been included because the relevant detention notification had expired. The judge observed that the deputy commissioner could not be summoned in the proceedings without being made a party to the case.
October 28 hearing to be key development
The case is scheduled to resume on October 28, when the summoned officials are expected to explain the legal basis for the sisters’ continued custody.
The court’s next proceedings may clarify the authorities’ position and determine what further directions, if any, are required. No final ruling on the legality of the continued detention
