The Lahore High Court (LHC) has disposed of a petition seeking the recovery of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s three sisters after the Punjab government informed the court that their detention had been extended for another 30 days. Justice Abhar Gul Khan heard the petition filed by Shahraiz in Lahore. The court disposed of the matter in light of a report submitted by the Home Secretary. During the hearing, the Punjab government’s counsel informed the court that the detention of Aleema Khanum, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi had been extended by another 30 days on October 7. 

The petitioner’s counsel argued that the three women had not been released despite the expiry of their initial detention period. He requested the court to order their recovery and direct that they be produced before it. Advocate Rana Mudassar Umar appeared on behalf of the petitioner. Uzma Khan’s husband, Ahad Khan, and Aleema Khanum’s son were also present in court. During the proceedings, the court observed that the detention notification had been issued by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lahore, who had not been made a party to the petition. The court remarked that it could not issue an order beyond the scope of the petition, noting that the relevant official had not been included in the case. 

In view of the Home Secretary’s report and the circumstances highlighted during the hearing, the LHC disposed of the petition seeking the recovery of the PTI founder’s sisters.  During the hearing, Rana Mudassar Umar also referred to the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, stating that they would come into play in the matter. The court responded by pointing to the limits of the petition, reiterating that it could not issue an order beyond the scope of the case before it. The proceedings concluded with the disposal of the petition, while the Punjab government maintained that the detention of all three women had been extended for a further 30 days. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)