September 24, 2026
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday heard two separate cases challenging the preventive detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and family members of party founder Imran Khan.
While the court declined to immediately suspend the detention orders issued against Khan’s sisters, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, a separate bench disposed of a petition filed by PTI leader Mubashir Awan after the Sialkot administration withdrew his detention notification and ordered his release.
LHC seeks replies on detention of Imran’s sisters
Justice Abher Gul Khan heard petitions challenging the 30-day preventive detention of Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, who were taken into custody in Lahore on September 21 under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960.Their detention followed the arrest of their sister Aleema Khan on September 20, ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 protest and march towards Islamabad. All three sisters were subsequently transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.
Advocates Rana Mudassar Umar and Barrister Taimur appeared on behalf of Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, while Advocate Farrukh Lodhi represented the Punjab government.
During the proceedings, Rana Mudassar Umar requested the court to allow him two minutes to present arguments seeking the immediate suspension of the detention notifications.
Justice Abher Gul Khan allowed the lawyer to proceed and asked him to explain his position.
The counsel submitted that both petitioners were homemakers and that Dr Uzma Khan had already been declared innocent in a criminal case registered against her. He informed the court that a copy of the trial court’s decision had been attached to the petition.
The lawyer requested the court to immediately suspend the detention orders issued by the deputy commissioner.However, Justice Abher Gul Khan declined to grant interim relief at this stage, observing that reports should first be obtained from the relevant authorities.
The court issued notices to the respondents and sought their replies before proceeding further with the petitions.The petitions challenge the legality of the detention notifications and seek their annulment.
Sialkot admin withdraws PTI leader’s detention order
In a separate hearing, Justice Sardar Akbar Ali Dogar expressed strong displeasure with Sialkot Deputy Commissioner (DC) Awais Mushtaq over the detention order issued against PTI leader Mubashir Awan.
During the proceedings, the judge questioned the DC over the legal basis for issuing the notification and asked why the prescribed legal procedure had not been followed.
The DC informed the court that the detention order had been issued on the basis of a report submitted by the District Intelligence Committee. Justice Dogar questioned whether the DC had accepted the police’s recommendations without independently examining the matter.The judge also asked the official why he had not exercised his own judgment before issuing the detention notification.
Following the court’s observations, the DC tendered an unconditional apology and informed the court that the detention notification had been withdrawn. He further stated that the jail superintendent had been instructed to release Mubashir Awan.
Barrister Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi represented the PTI leader during the proceedings.
After receiving the DC’s report confirming the withdrawal of the detention notification, the court disposed of the petition.