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The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday declined a request to immediately suspend the preventive detention orders against Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan, sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Police detained Uzma and Noreen on Monday for 30 days under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 (MPO).
Authorities detained the sisters a day after police arrested their sister Aleema Khan. The detentions came ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 protest and march to Islamabad.
Justice Abher Gul Khan heard a petition challenging the detention. Sakeena Niazi, Noreen’s daughter, filed the petition.
Barrister Taimur Malik and Advocate Rana Mudassir represented the petitioners.
The lawyers argued that the two women were not political activists and questioned the grounds for their detention.
They also told the court that Uzma had already secured an acquittal in a case registered against her.
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The lawyers presented a copy of the trial court’s decision and cited recent orders from the LHC Multan Bench involving preventive detention of PTI-linked individuals.
They asked Justice Abher to suspend the detention notifications immediately.
Justice Abher said the court would first hear the relevant authorities before deciding the request.
The court then issued notices to the respondents and sought their replies.
The respondents include the Lahore deputy commissioner, Capital City Police Officer, Home Department secretary and Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent.
PTI has called for a nationwide protest on September 27.
The party says the protest will demand Imran Khan’s release and press for what it describes as the supremacy of the Constitution.
Authorities have imposed restrictions across Punjab and Islamabad ahead of the planned demonstrations.
The Punjab government has also requested Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali from September 22 to October 5.
Islamabad authorities have also imposed Section 144 in the capital.
Punjab Inspector General Rao Abdul Kareem warned that police would take action against anyone who violates the law on September 27.
Speaking to reporters after appearing before the LHC, Kareem said organisers need permission to hold a peaceful protest.
He also pointed to the Section 144 restrictions currently in force across Punjab.
The police chief said authorities would treat citizens according to the law without discrimination.
The government has separately warned PTI against blocking roads or entering restricted areas during the planned protest.
The LHC is also hearing other petitions involving PTI-related detentions.
The LHC Multan Bench recently admitted a petition challenging the detention of 24 PTI office-bearers, leaders and workers from Sahiwal under the MPO Ordinance.
The court sought a report from the Sahiwal deputy commissioner.
The LHC is also considering a petition challenging the detention of Aleema Khan and her driver.
Justice Abher Gul Khan has sought further arguments on the maintainability of that petition.
The latest proceedings come as political and legal tensions increase ahead of the September 27 PTI protest.
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