Lahore administration orders 30-day detention of Aleema Khan under MPO

PTI, TTAP demand Aleema’s release, urge an end to political restrictions

LAHORE:

The Lahore administration on Sunday ordered the arrest and 30-day detention of Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, citing concerns over public safety and maintenance of public order.

The detention order, issued by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Muhammad Ali Ijaz on September 20, also named her driver, Muhammad Ameer, directed that both be detained for 30 days from the date of their arrest at Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat.

According to the order, the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) forwarded a request based on reports submitted by the SP Civil Lines Division and the In-charge District Intelligence Branch.

The reports alleged that Aleema and Ameer had been involved in the May 9 protests and road blockades and had motivated workers to damage public and government property.

The police and intelligence reports further alleged that the two were again mobilising workers through social media and public meetings, potentially creating a law and order situation.

The reports also accused them of raising what the order described as “objectionable slogans” against the government and institutions in an attempt to provoke or incite members of the public. Multiple cases, including FIR No. 96/23 registered at Race Course police station, were cited in support of the request for detention.

The authorities described the two as “potential dangers to public peace and tranquility” and recommended their detention for 30 days under the MPO to maintain law and order in Lahore.

The matter was subsequently placed before the District Intelligence Committee at a meeting held on September 20 under the chairmanship of the Lahore deputy commissioner.

According to the order, the committee discussed the matter and endorsed the evidence and material provided by the police department before unanimously recommending detention of both individuals to maintain the law and order situation in the city.

Read: Aleema says public backs Imran's release

The deputy commissioner said he was satisfied, on the basis of the material submitted by the CCPO and the committee's recommendation, that the presence of the two individuals at any public place would pose a “grave threat to public safety” and was likely to cause a breach of public peace and order.

The order was issued under powers conferred through a 2017 Punjab Home Department notification and Section 3(1) of the Punjab MPO Ordinance, 1960.

The order also states that the detainees may make a representation to the provincial government against their detention.

PTI, TTAP condemn Aleema Khan detention

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has condemned the arrest of Aleema, saying it was the first step towards worsening the situation. “Our march will be peaceful and political. We do not want any kind of confrontation or violence,” he said, adding that the party’s objective was to pursue a peaceful struggle for constitutional and political demands.

Gohar said arresting Aleema or detaining her under the MPO amounted to fuelling tensions. He called on the government to immediately stop such measures and release her. He added that the party would soon announce its course of action against such measures.

The Tehreek Tahafuz Aain Pakistan (TTAP) also strongly condemned the detention of Aleema, sister of former Prime Minister Imran, terming it an escalation of the ongoing crackdown on political workers and their families.

In a statement, TTAP said Aleema had been detained under the 3-MPO and alleged that her detention had been carried out despite there being no charge against her. The alliance said the action had created an atmosphere of fear among political workers and their families.

Read more: Aleema says Imran will not bow

The statement further alleged that the Punjab government’s actions against political workers were aimed at disrupting political activity ahead of the September 27 protest. TTAP has announced the September 27 protest as part of its campaign for protection of the Constitution, Parliament and provincial rights. 

“The relentless crackdown on political workers in Punjab has now reached families. Aleema Khan saheba’s detention under 3-MPO, with no charge and days before September 27, is repression at its peak. It will not break our resolve. Resisting it is our duty,” said TTAP provincial leader Shayyan Bashir.

TTAP demanded the immediate release of Aleema Khan and other political prisoners, saying the government should end what it described as a series of arrests and restrictions on political activity.

According to the family sources, Aleema was travelling towards Gymkhana Club when police intercepted her vehicle and took her into custody along with her driver and the car. They said she had left her residence around 1:15pm to 1:20pm after offering Zuhr prayers.

According to the family sources, she was subsequently taken towards Lytton Road and was expected to be shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail under the MPO law. It is pertinent to mention that the area where she was allegedly intercepted does not fall under the jurisdiction of Lytton Road Police Station.