LHC seeks arguments on Aleema's detention

Lawyer says detention order was issued after arrest of Imran Khan's sister

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday sought further arguments on the maintainability of a plea challenging the detention of PTI founder Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan and her driver under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

LHC Justice Abher Gul Khan heard the petition filed by Shahraiz Khan, Aleema's son, challenging her detention orders. The counsel for the petitioner informed the court that Aleema Khan was arrested first and her detention order was issued afterwards.

During the proceedings, the court asked the petitioner's counsel whether he had first approached the relevant authority against the detention order. The counsel replied that the case was quite different from others.

"It appears that the arrest was made first and the DIC meeting was held afterwards," he told the court. He submitted that the District Intelligence Committee (DIC) meeting and issuance of the detention notification took place on the same day.

Justice Khan observed that the court would examine the issue, adding that it was going to reserve its decision on the maintainability of the petition. On the counsel's request, however, the judge adjourned the hearing until Sept 25 for further arguments.

Aleema Khan was detained by the authorities on Sunday after the Lahore deputy commissioner's (DC) office ordered her detention for 30 days. Her two sisters, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, were also detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

The detention of the Khan sisters came amid a crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of the party's planned march on Islamabad on September 27. Shahraiz Khan, Aleema's son, had filed the petition through advocate Rana Mudassar Umar, challenging the detention of his mother and aunts.