The Lahore High Court has declined to immediately suspend detention orders against PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Dr Uzma Khanum and Nooreen Niazi, saying it would first seek responses from the relevant authorities.
Justice Abher Gul Khan heard petitions challenging the detention notifications, with Advocate Rana Mudassar Umar representing the petitioners.
During the hearing, Umar asked the court to suspend the orders, arguing that both women were homemakers. He further submitted that Dr Uzma had already been declared innocent in the case and said a copy of the trial court’s decision had been attached to the petition.
The court, however, decided against granting immediate relief. Justice Khan said the respondents’ positions should first be placed before the court before a decision was made on suspending the detention notifications.
Notices were subsequently issued to the relevant parties, with the court directing them to submit their replies.
Dr Uzma, Nooreen and their sister Aleema Khan were detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law ahead of PTI’s planned long march.
The MPO provides authorities with preventive detention powers intended to avert anticipated disturbances to public order. Under Section 3, designated authorities can order a person’s detention for a specified period without an ordinary criminal conviction.
Preventive detention under the law can be subject to further review requirements when it extends beyond prescribed periods, including review by a judicial board in certain circumstances.
The court has not yet ruled on the legality of the detention orders themselves, with that question remaining pending as the respondents prepare their submissions.