Aleema Khanum, the sister of Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, has been detained by authorities in Lahore ahead of major protests planned in her brother’s support. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party condemned the move as an “illegal detention,” while police confirmed the arrest.
Khanum was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon. An order issued by Lahore’s deputy commissioner alleged that she had been mobilizing supporters through social media platforms and public gatherings. The directive stated she would be held for 30 days and transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.
Her son, Shahrez Khan, demanded her immediate release via the social media platform X, writing, “We demand the government immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her safe return.” The family reported having no contact with Khanum earlier in the day.
The arrest is widely seen as a preemptive measure to quell demonstrations organized for September 27, when protesters plan to march on the capital, Islamabad. The official arrest order accused Khanum of attempting to create law-and-order disturbances and chanting slogans deemed objectionable against the government.
Tensions are already high in the capital, where streets have been lined with shipping containers to protect government buildings. Interior officials have warned that the upcoming protests threaten national stability and vowed to take all necessary measures to prevent them.
Khanum, a frequent spokesperson for her brother’s cause, has been a vocal critic of his imprisonment. Imran Khan, the former cricket star turned politician, has been detained since 2023. He initially received a three-year sentence for failing to declare income from gifts received during his tenure, and was later handed a 14-year term in a separate land corruption case—the longest sentence among over 100 charges he faces, all of which he describes as politically motivated.
Reports indicate that Khan’s health has been declining during his incarceration. Last month, he was admitted to a hospital for a medical examination.
I wonder if the family can get her released this time. The international scrutiny must be mounting on these 30-day detentions.
Preemptive arrests are routine here. They think detaining Aleema stops the protests, but it only fuels more anger among supporters.
Another sister? This feels like a desperate attempt to silence the opposition before September. Truly concerning for Pakistan’s democracy.