Several relatives of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan have allegedly been detained by authorities in Punjab, days before his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is scheduled to hold a protest march.
The allegations were made by Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, who claimed that his aunts, cousins and other family members were taken into custody without being told the reasons for their arrest or where they were being held.
The development comes shortly after Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan was detained by authorities in Lahore. PTI has planned a protest march for September 27, with supporters demanding the release of the former prime minister.
In a series of posts on X, Kasim alleged that his aunts Dr Uzma and Noreen, along with his cousins Shershah and Shahrez, were taken from their homes. He claimed that authorities entered their residences and forced them into vehicles.
Kasim also alleged that Shahrez’s two children, aged four and six, were initially unaccounted for. He later said the children were safe but claimed that two other relatives, Azeem and Sakeenah, had also been detained.
The allegations have not been independently confirmed, and details about the whereabouts of all those named were not immediately available.
Aleema Khan’s detention was separately reported by Pakistani media. According to the reported order issued by Lahore’s deputy commissioner, she and another person, Muhammad Ameer, were ordered to be detained under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.
The order cited concerns relating to public safety and maintenance of public order. It also referred to their alleged involvement in protests and road blockades following Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023.
Authorities alleged that Aleema Khan and Ameer had encouraged supporters to damage public and government property and were again mobilising workers through social media and public meetings ahead of the planned demonstrations.
Aleema’s family, however, has disputed the authorities’ account. Her sister Noreen Niazi said Aleema was taken into custody along with her driver after leaving her residence. The family has demanded information about her location and access for relatives and lawyers.
Kasim Khan also criticised the reported detention, accusing authorities of targeting his family because of his father’s political activities. He called for Aleema to be given immediate access to her family and legal representatives.
Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison since 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case. He is currently being held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Amid concerns raised by his party and supporters about his health, Khan underwent a medical check-up on Sunday, according to reports. His supporters have alleged that he has not received adequate medical attention, while prison authorities have rejected such claims.
The latest detentions have added to tensions surrounding the PTI’s planned September 27 protest. With several members of Khan’s family now reportedly in custody, the party and his supporters are expected to closely monitor developments in the days leading up to the demonstration.
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