Amnesty International on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, called on Pakistani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release former Prime Minister Imran Khan's relatives — including his three sisters — as well as activists of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), describing their detention as 'arbitrary' and a flagrant violation of fundamental rights. The demand from the leading global human rights body adds significant international pressure on Islamabad ahead of a planned PTI protest march.

What Amnesty International Said

'Members of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's family, including his three sisters, as well as activists from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been arbitrarily detained,' the rights body said in a post on X. 'The targeting of his family and PTI party activists is a flagrant violation of their rights to liberty, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Such actions speak to the severity of the current restrictions in Pakistan.'

Amnesty further stated: 'Amnesty International calls on the Pakistani authorities to immediately release Imran Khan's relatives and PTI workers, who have been targeted simply for their familial ties, political affiliation and plans to protest.'

The Detentions: Who Was Arrested and When

Khan's sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained for 30 days on Monday, one day after his third sister, Aleema Khan, was arrested. All three were held under orders by the Lahore Deputy Commissioner invoking the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960. The arrests came directly in the run-up to PTI's planned protest march to Islamabad scheduled for 27 September.

Pakistani Civil Society Speaks Out

Pakistani women's rights organisation Aurat March also condemned the detentions on Tuesday, calling the intimidation and arrests of Khan's relatives, as well as efforts to block PTI supporters from marching, 'unconstitutional and inhumane.' 'While we don't ally with any political party and have also disagreed with some of PTI's policies over the years, however, we believe the state's horrific efforts to crush any form of dissent, and intimidation and picking up of Imran Khan's relatives and preventing PTI supporters from marching on the streets of Islamabad is unconstitutional and inhumane, and should be condemned by all citizens,' the organisation said.

Imran Khan's Detention and the Broader Pattern

Imran Khan was first arrested on 9 May 2023, triggering mass nationwide protests, and again on 5 August 2023. He has remained in detention since then. Amnesty International noted in August that key PTI members and supporters were subjected to mass and arbitrary arrests following protests on 9 May 2023 and 26 November 2024. Many continue to be held under anti-terrorism charges, while 85 have reportedly been convicted by military courts — a fact that critics argue undermines Pakistan's commitments to due process.

What Comes Next

With PTI's 27 September march to Islamabad fast approaching, the crackdown signals a sharp escalation in the Pakistani state's efforts to pre-empt mass mobilisation. International scrutiny — now formalised through Amnesty International's public demand — is expected to intensify in the days ahead as the march date draws closer.