Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday condemned the arrest of Aleema Khan, sister of party founder Imran Khan, as tensions intensified ahead of the party’s planned September 27 march to Islamabad. Her arrest was confirmed by PTI, while there was no immediate comment from the government or police.
“The party strongly condemns the arrest of Aleema,” a PTI Central Punjab spokesperson said, while alleging that large numbers of party workers were also being detained as part of a wider crackdown.
Retired Brigadier Mushtaq said Aleema had been moved to an undisclosed location.
“This government has become fearful of a popular revolution,” he said.
Family sources said Aleema had left her Canal Road residence at around 1:15pm to 1:20pm, after offering Zuhr prayers, and was travelling towards Gymkhana Club for a private engagement when police intercepted her vehicle.
According to the family, police took Aleema into custody along with her driver and vehicle. They said she was subsequently taken towards Lytton Road and was expected to be transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail under the Maintenance of Public Order law.
Reports on the precise circumstances and location of the arrest initially differed, with Reuters citing a PTI spokesperson as saying she was arrested at her residence.
Aleema’s arrest comes one week before PTI’s planned September 27 march on Islamabad, part of the party’s campaign demanding Imran Khan’s release.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding the planned mobilisation. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said the march will not be permitted to enter Islamabad.
Police have also detained PTI workers ahead of the planned protest, with Islamabad police taking four party activists and workers into custody in a separate operation.