LAHORE/RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday sought a reply from the Punjab home secretary on a petition challenging the detention of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, while the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) deferred its verdict in a separate November 26 protest case against her until October 1.
Justice Abher Gul Khan heard the petition challenging Aleema Khan’s detention. During Friday’s hearing, a Punjab government law officer asked the court to dispose of the petition, arguing that the home secretary had already fixed a hearing to review the detention order issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner.
The judge, however, issued a notice to the home secretary and sought a reply to the petition.
Barrister Taimur Malik told the court that Aleema Khan was facing difficulties receiving her medicines and other essential items in jail. The judge directed the counsel to file a separate application regarding the issue.
Aleema Khan was detained on September 20 after the Lahore deputy commissioner ordered her detention or arrest for 30 days under the MPO Ordinance. The order referred to a letter from the Lahore capital city police officer and police reports alleging that Aleema and her driver were prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order.
The petition was filed by Aleema Khan’s son, Shahraiz Khan, through Advocate Rana Mudassar Umar. It challenges the detention order issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner and argues that the prescribed procedure under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance was not followed.
The petition further contends that the detention order contains no specific allegations and does not demonstrate proper application of mind. It also argues that ordinary criminal law and less restrictive measures were not considered and that the grounds for detention were not communicated within the required period.
The petition seeks the setting aside of the detention orders issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner and a declaration that they are unlawful.
Aleema’s detention came ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad, with the party seeking the release of Imran Khan and what it describes as supremacy of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the LHC had on Thursday declined a request to immediately suspend the preventive detention notifications issued against Aleema Khan’s sisters, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi. The court issued notices to the Punjab government and other respondents and sought their replies.
The Lahore deputy commissioner had ordered the detention of Noreen and Uzma for 30 days under Section 3 of the MPO on September 21 following a police recommendation. The two sisters were subsequently shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail, where Aleema Khan had already been detained.
Lawyers Mudassir Umar and Barrister Taimur appeared on behalf of Noreen and Uzma, while lawyer Farrukh Lodhi represented the Punjab government. The court did not suspend the detention notifications at that stage and issued notices seeking responses from the respondents.
In a separate development, the Rawalpindi ATC deferred its verdict in a case against Aleema Khan over the November 26 protest until October 1. The verdict was postponed as ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah is on leave.
The court had reserved its verdict on September 22 in the case against Aleema Khan and nine other accused after completion of the final arguments. The decision had been scheduled to be announced on Friday but will now be pronounced on October 1.
The case relates to the November 26 protest and was registered at Sadiqabad Police Station in Rawalpindi. The court had completed the proceedings and reserved its verdict after hearing the final arguments.
Aleema Khan’s lawyer did not appear before the court to present final arguments, according to the report.
The separate court proceedings concerning Aleema Khan’s detention and the November 26 protest case are continuing as PTI prepares for its September 27 protest and march towards Islamabad.