Imran Khan's sisters Uzma, Noreen detained 30 days ahead of PTI march
Synopsis
In the span of two days, all three sisters of jailed former Pakistan PM Imran Khan — Aleema, Uzma, and Noreen — have been detained for 30 days each under a colonial-era public order law, just days before PTI's planned march on Islamabad. The family alleges abduction; PTI calls it state intimidation ahead of its biggest street mobilisation in months.
Key Takeaways
Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi , sisters of Imran Khan , were ordered into 30-day detention on 21 September 2026 under the Punjab MPO Ordinance, 1960 .
Aleema Khan , another sister, was arrested a day earlier on 20 September under the same ordinance; her driver Muhammad Ameer was also detained for 30 days .
All three detentions come less than a week before PTI's protest march to Islamabad on 27 September .
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the arrests as the 'first step towards worsening the situation' and demanded immediate release.
Aleema Khan's son Shahrez Khan and Imran Khan's son Kasim Khan both alleged she was 'abducted' and that her family and lawyers have been denied access.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's sisters, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, were ordered into 30-day detention on Monday, 21 September 2026, just one day after their sibling Aleema Khan was arrested under a similar order issued by the Lahore Deputy Commissioner. The back-to-back detentions of all three sisters come less than a week before Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s planned protest march to Islamabad, scheduled for 27 September, according to local media reports.
The Detention Orders
In an order dated 20 September, the Lahore DC office invoked the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960 to detain Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi for 30 days, citing that the two were 'prejudicial to the public safety and maintenance of public order,' according to Pakistan-based daily Dawn. Both women will reportedly remain in custody under the superintendent of the Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat.
A separate order confirmed that Aleema Khan had also been detained for 30 days under the same MPO Ordinance. Her driver, Muhammad Ameer, was similarly ordered detained for 30 days, according to The Express Tribune.
Family Alleges Abduction, Demands Release
Aleema Khan's son, Shahrez Khan, alleged on X that his mother was 'abducted' after leaving home on Sunday morning, adding that the family had received no information about her whereabouts. 'She is on bail in all cases against her in Lahore. We demand the government immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her safe return,' he wrote.
Imran Khan's son, Kasim Khan, also posted on X, calling it 'the behaviour of a fascist government — abducting people, terrorising families and trampling human rights, due process and the rule of law.' He demanded immediate family and legal access to Aleema Khan and her unconditional release. 'First they imprisoned my father. Now they are coming after his family,' he added.
PTI Condemns Arrests, Warns of Escalation
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned Aleema Khan's arrest on Sunday, describing it as the 'first step towards worsening the situation.' He called for her immediate release and stated the party would 'soon announce its course of action.' Notably, Gohar Ali Khan also posted on X, stressing that PTI's planned march would be 'peaceful and political.' 'We aim to wage a peaceful struggle for our constitutional and political demands; we do not want any confrontation or violence. In such a situation, arresting Aleema Khan Sahiba or keeping her under house arrest under MPO is tantamount to fueling violence and tension,' he wrote.
Context: PTI March and Pattern of Detentions
The timing of the detentions — days before PTI's 27 September march to Islamabad — has drawn sharp criticism from the party and observers. This is not the first time Pakistani authorities have used the MPO Ordinance to detain political associates or relatives ahead of major PTI mobilisations. Critics argue that detaining family members amounts to political pressure designed to deter participation in the planned march.
Imran Khan himself remains imprisoned. The coordinated detention of his three sisters in the span of two days signals a further tightening of pressure on his immediate family circle as PTI attempts to mount its largest street mobilisation in recent months.
All eyes now turn to whether the 27 September march proceeds as planned — and what course of action PTI formally announces in the coming days.
Point of View
Designed for emergencies, is being deployed as a pre-emptive political tool, and that raises serious questions about due process. What is less clear is whether these detentions will deter PTI's base or further galvanise it; historically, high-profile arrests of sympathetic figures have energised rather than dispersed Khan's supporters. The international community, which Kasim Khan explicitly called upon, has so far remained largely silent on Pakistan's treatment of the Khan family.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Imran Khan's sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi detained?
Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained for 30 days on 21 September 2026 under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, with the Lahore Deputy Commissioner's order citing that they were 'prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order.' The detentions came days before PTI's planned protest march to Islamabad on 27 September.
What happened to Aleema Khan, Imran Khan's other sister?
Aleema Khan was detained for 30 days on 20 September 2026 under the same MPO Ordinance, following an order by the Lahore Deputy Commissioner. Her son Shahrez Khan alleged she was 'abducted' after leaving home that morning, and said the family had no information about her whereabouts. Her driver, Muhammad Ameer, was also detained for 30 days.
What is the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960?
The Punjab MPO Ordinance, 1960, is a law that allows Pakistani authorities to detain individuals for up to 30 days without formal criminal charges if they are deemed a threat to public safety or public order. Critics argue it is frequently used to suppress political opponents and activists.
How has PTI responded to the arrests?
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the arrests, calling Aleema Khan's detention the 'first step towards worsening the situation,' and demanded her immediate release. He also reaffirmed that PTI's 27 September march to Islamabad would remain peaceful and political. The party said it would soon announce further steps.
Is PTI's 27 September march to Islamabad still going ahead?
As of 21 September 2026, the PTI march to Islamabad remains scheduled for 27 September. Despite the detentions, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has insisted the protest will be peaceful, though the party has warned it will announce its course of action in response to the arrests.
