PTI says Aleema detained by authorities as Lahore DC orders arrest under MPO

PTI said on Sunday that jailed ex-prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, had been detained by authorities while an order issued by the office of Lahore’s deputy commissioner confirmed that he had ordered their detention or arrest for a period of 30 days. The Sept 20 order, a copy of which is available with Dawn, said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali Ijaz had ordered their detention or arrest under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 (MPO). The MPO allows the authorities to order detention and restrict judicial review of such orders. The DC also directed the arrest of a Muhammad Ameer in his order, adding, “Their custody shall be placed under the superintendent, Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore. They shall be at liberty to make a representation to the provincial government against this order.” Meawhile, the PTI said in a post on X that Aleema had been “abducted” in Lahore from outside her home by the authorities. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram also demanded in a post on X that Aleema be presented in court immediately. “A sister is being punished for speaking up for her brother,” Akram alleged.

Dawn has reached out to police for a comment but there has been no immediate response. In his order, the DC cited a letter by the Lahore capital city police officer. The order stated that the letter referred to police reports that said Aleema and Ameer “are prejudicial to the public safety and maintenance of public order”. The reports also mentioned that the two had been involved in roadblocks and protests on May 9, 2023, when PTI supporters and workers took to the streets against Imran’s arrest. “They motivated the workers to damage public and government property. Moreover, they are again mobilising the workers through social media and public meetings to create law and order situation, raising/chanting objectionable slogans amongst the general public against the government/institution in order to provoke and incite them,” the order read. It said multiple cases had been registered against the two. declaring them “potential dangers to public peace and tranquility”. According to the order, the Civil Lines Division superintendent of police and district intelligence branch in-charge recommended their detention under the MPO for a 30-day period “in order to keep the law and order situation in the city intact”.

More to follow.