LHC turns down request for immediate suspension of Noreen and Uzma's detention, issues notices on plea

The Lahore High Court (LHC) recently rejected a request to immediately suspend the preventive detention orders issued against Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan, sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan. The sisters were detained for 30 days on Monday under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960 (MPO) following their sister Aleema Khan's arrest.

The arrests of Imran's sisters and other party leaders occurred just prior to the PTI's planned nationwide protest and march to Islamabad on September 27. On Thursday, Justice Abher Gul Khan heard a petition challenging the detention of Uzma and Noreen, filed by the latter's daughter Sakeena Niazi. Their counsel, Taimur Malik and Rana Mudassir, argued that both women were "nonpolitical" and had no justification for their detention, citing Uzma's recent acquittal in a court case and orders by the LHC's Multan bench setting aside preventive detention for other PTI-affiliated individuals.

However, Justice Abher stated that the court would first seek a report and hear the parties' positions before deciding on the suspension request. The court then issued notices to the respondents, including the Lahore deputy commissioner and capital city police officer, the Home Department secretary, and the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court summoned the senior superintendent of police (operations) to appear in a petition concerning alleged harassment of PTI leaders and raids on their homes. Punjab Inspector General Rao Abdul Kareem warned that anyone violating the law on September 27 would face strict consequences, as the province has imposed a 13-day gathering ban and a Section 144 prohibition on unlawful assembly.