LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday sought further arguments on whether a petition challenging the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and her driver, Muhammad Ameer, is maintainable.
Justice Abher Gul Khan heard the petition filed by Aleema’s son, Shahraiz Khan, against the detention orders issued under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.
During the hearing, the court questioned the petitioner’s counsel about whether the relevant authority had first been approached against the detention orders.
The counsel argued that the case was different from other detention matters, claiming that Aleema and her driver appeared to have been taken into custody before the legal process for their detention was completed.
He told the court that the District Intelligence Committee (DIC) meeting and the issuance of the detention notification took place on the same day. According to the counsel, the sequence of events indicated that the two were arrested before the DIC meeting was held and the detention order was formally issued.
Justice Abher Gul Khan observed that the court would examine the matter before deciding whether the petition could be heard.
The judge initially indicated that a decision on maintainability would be taken, but the hearing was adjourned until September 25 after the petitioner’s counsel sought additional time to present arguments.
Shahraiz Khan had approached the LHC through lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar, challenging the detention orders issued by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ijaz on September 20 against Aleema and her two sisters.
The petition contends that the deputy commissioner did not follow the procedure required under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance. It further argues that the orders lack specific allegations and do not demonstrate proper consideration of the circumstances.
The petitioner also maintains that ordinary criminal law and less restrictive measures were not considered before the detention orders were issued. He has sought the cancellation of the orders and a declaration that they were unlawful.
Aleema was detained on Sunday after the Lahore administration ordered her detention for 30 days under the MPO law. The order followed a request from the Lahore Capital City Police Officer, which cited police reports alleging that Aleema and Ameer posed a threat to public safety and the maintenance of public order.
The reports also referred to alleged involvement in road blockades and protests following Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, as well as multiple cases registered against the two.
Aleema’s detention came ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 protest and march towards Islamabad, with the party calling for Imran Khan’s release and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Her sisters, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, were also detained for 30 days under the MPO on Monday. Their detention has separately been challenged before the Lahore High Court.
