The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Noreen Niazi, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, and her two daughters on Tuesday.
Justice Abher Gul Khan issued the directives while hearing petitions challenging the extensions of detention orders against Imran Khan’s sisters, Noreen, Uzma Khan and Aleema Khanum.
The judge also summoned the Lahore deputy commissioner to appear before the court on November 4 and explain the extensions of the detention orders against Noreen and Uzma.
The three women were detained under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, in September as the PTI prepared for a protest march towards Islamabad demanding Imran Khan’s release from prison.
Aleema was taken into custody on September 20 for 30 days, while Noreen and Uzma were detained the following day for the same period. Their detentions were challenged after the initial 30-day period expired last month. The Punjab government subsequently informed the court that their detention periods had been extended for another 30 days.
During Monday’s hearing, petitioners’ counsel Rana Mudassar Umar told the court that Noreen’s two daughters and lawyers wanted to meet her. He also raised concerns about her health, arguing that, given her advanced age, her medical condition could only be properly assessed after a meeting with her.
Noreen was earlier shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) after her health deteriorated at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where she had been detained. The transfer was made on the recommendation of jail doctors.
Later, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah informed the Senate that Noreen was in stable condition after receiving medical treatment in Lahore.
During Monday’s proceedings, Justice Khan asked a provincial law officer whether jail authorities had designated a specific day for prisoners to meet their relatives. The law officer said the authorities had no objection to facilitating the requested meeting.
The law officer also submitted a report on behalf of the Home Department, stating that Noreen had been taken to hospital for treatment and subsequently returned to jail on doctors’ advice. He added that her daughter, Hajira Niazi, had been allowed to meet her at the hospital on October 29.
The court subsequently directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Noreen and her two daughters on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, proceedings on a separate petition challenging Aleema’s fresh detention were adjourned until next week.
Earlier in the day, Justice Abher Gul Khan sought reports from the Punjab Home Department regarding the detentions. The court directed the department to submit its reports by 2pm while hearing petitions filed by Noreen’s daughter, Sakeena, and Aleema’s son, Shahrez Khan.
The petitioners’ counsel argued that the detention orders against Aleema, Noreen and Uzma had been extended unlawfully. He said the Lahore deputy commissioner had issued fresh notifications extending their detention after the initial 30-day period.
The counsel further claimed that the detained women had been denied access to their family members and legal representatives.
He requested the court to declare the fresh detention notifications illegal.
During the hearing, PTI Secretary General and lawyer Salman Akram Raja informed the court that Aleema’s driver had also been detained. He urged the judge to consider granting relief to the driver, saying his family was facing considerable distress.
Justice Khan subsequently directed the provincial Home Department to submit the required reports, saying the court would examine the matter after reviewing the documents.
