LHC directs jail authorities to arrange Noreen Niazi’s meeting with daughters

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Noreen Niazi, a sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, and her two daughters on Tuesday (tomorrow).

Justice Abher Gul Khan summoned the Lahore deputy commissioner to appear in person on Nov 4 and explain the extensions granted to the detention orders of Noreen and Uzma.

The judge adjourned the hearing of a petition challenging Aleema Khan’s fresh detention until next week.

Earlier today, the LHC (LHC) sought reports from the Punjab Home Department on pleas challenging the extension of the detention of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters and seeking medical treatment for Noreen.

Justice Khan directed the Home Department to submit the reports by 2pm as she heard pleas filed by Noreen’s daughter, Sakeena, and Shahrez Khan, the son of Imran’s second sister Aleema Khan.

Aleema and Noreen, along with their sister Uzma Khan, were detained under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 in September, as the PTI geared up for a protest march to Islamabad. Their detentions have come amid reports of several PTI leaders and workers being taken into custody ahead of the march planned to demand Imran’s release from prison.

Among them, Aleema was detained on Sept 20 for 30 days and Noreen and Uzma the next day for the same period. Their detention was challenged in the court after the 30-day period lapsed last month, following which the Punjab government informed the court that their detention periods had been extended for another 30 days.

At the hearing today, petitioner’s counsel Rana Mudassar Umar contended that Aleema, Noreen and Uzma’s detentions had been extended “unlawfully”.

He noted that after the completion of the initial 30-day detention period, the Lahore deputy commissioner had issued a notification for its extension.

He claimed that the detained women had also not been allowed to meet their family members or lawyers.

The counsel asked the court to declare the fresh detention notifications “illegal”.

PTI Secretary General Advocate Salman Akram Raja informed the court that Aleema’s driver had also been detained. He requested the court to show leniency towards the driver, saying his family was deeply distressed.

Justice Khan then sought reports from the Punjab Home Department and said he would examine the matter after going through the reports.

Among the three detainees, Noreen had been shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) following her deteriorating health, on the recommendation of the doctors of the Kot Lakhpat Jail, where she has been detained.

Later, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, had informed the Senate that Noreen was fine after being provided medical treatment in Lahore.

On Friday, the Lahore High Court directed Noreen’s lawyer to file a separate application seeking medical treatment and family meetings for his client.