Uzma Khan, Noreen Niazi released after 50 days in detention

PTI founder's sister Aleema Khan remains incarcerated at Kot Lakhpat Jail

LAHORE:

Two sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, were released from jail on Thursday after remaining in detention for 50 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law, Kot Lakhpat Jail Superintendent Chaudhry Ijaz Asghar confirmed to The Express Tribune.

Asghar said Noreen and Uzma were handed over to Noreen's daughter, Hajra Niazi, following their release.

Meanwhile, Aleema Khan remained incarcerated at Kot Lakhpat Jail.

On October 28, Noreen was admitted to Lahore's Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) following a deterioration in her health while in custody, according to her legal counsel.

“Noreen Niazi Sahiba has been transferred to Punjab Institute of Cardiology due to deteriorating health in jail,” her legal counsel, Rana Mudassar Umer, said on X.

He alleged that no family member was informed of her transfer to the hospital

Read: Imran's sisters challenge 30-day detention in LHC, seek immediate release

On October 26, the Lahore High Court (LHC) disposed of a petition for the release of Imran’s three sisters after the Punjab government confirmed that their detention had been extended by another 30 days.

On October 22, the LHC summoned the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail over the continued detention of Imran’s sisters despite the expiry of their 30-day detention orders.

On September 25, the court declined to suspend the detention notifications against Uzma and Noreen at that stage and sought responses from the relevant authorities.

The three sisters were detained in September under Section 3 of the Punjab MPO Ordinance, 1960, as the PTI prepared for a planned protest march towards Islamabad. Aleema was detained on September 20, while Uzma and Noreen were taken into custody on September 21. Their initial detention orders were issued for 30 days. The orders were later extended for another 30 days.

The Lahore deputy commissioner issued the 30-day detention orders. The orders cited police reports alleging that the women’s activities posed a threat to public safety and the maintenance of public order.

The sisters subsequently challenged their detention in the LHC, seeking the annulment of the orders and their immediate release.