Jailed Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan’s sister arrested days before protest march - The Indian Express

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan has been arrested from her house in Lahore, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson said on Sunday.

Aleema’s police arrest comes a week before a protest march by the party to demand the incarcerated leader’s release.

Aleema has been arrested and sent to jail for 30 days, according to a Lahore district administration notice. “According to intelligence reports, her presence at any public place will pose a grave threat to public safety,” the notification stated.

My mother, Aleema Khan, was abducted after leaving home this morning. Our family has had no contact or news of her whereabouts. She is on bail in all cases against her in Lahore. We demand the government immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her safe return.…

The order for Imran Khan’s sister’s arrest was passed by the deputy commissioner of Lahore, Muhammad Ali Ijaz, under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law of Punjab, Dawn reported. The MPO ordinance allows the authorities to detain an individual and restrict judicial review of it.

Aleema had been taken to the Kot Lakhpat jail, Dawn’s report, quoting police sources confirmed. Following her arrest, Aleema’s sister Noreen Niazi addressed the press in Lahore and said that she was “picked up” along with her driver after she left her residence on Saturday. The family later got the news that Aleema’s vehicle was spotted parked at a police station.

In a post on X, Aleema’s son Shahrez Khan alleged that his mother “was abducted after leaving home this morning”. “Our family has had no contact or news of her whereabouts. She is on bail in all cases against her in Lahore. We demand the government immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her safe return,” Khan wrote.

Imran Khan’s party, PTI, has organised a march to Islamabad on September 27 demanding the former prime minister’s release. However, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi earlier said that the government would take all measures necessary to stop the planned protest.

Imran Khan’s close aide Zulfi Bukhari described Aleema’s arrest as “absolutely despicable,” adding that “fear of the protest on 27th is clearly ⁠taking its toll,” Reuters reported.

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More