Police on Monday detained Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, along with his nephews, for 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, a day after Aleema Khan was detained under the same law.
The latest detention comes a day after Imran’s other sister, Aleema Khan, was also detained by authorities in Lahore under the same Section 3 of the MPO, and transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail for 30 days.
The detentions came as authorities stepped up a crackdown on PTI workers and leaders ahead of the party’s planned September 27 protest and march, with several workers and leaders taken into custody in recent days.
According to an order available to The Express Tribune, dated September 20, the detention was based on reports submitted by the SP Civil Lines Division and the District Intelligence Branch, which alleged that the two women’s activities were “prejudicial to the public safety and maintenance of public order”.
In the order, police and intelligence officials state that Niazi and Uzma had been involved in the May 9 protests and road blockades and had “motivated the workers to damage public and Government property”.
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The order further states that the two were “again mobilising the workers through social media and public meetings to create law and order situation” and were raising or chanting “objectionable slogans amongst the general public against the Government/institution in order to provoke and incite them”.
“Accordingly multiple cases including 96/23 PS Race Course were registered,” the order said, adding that the two women were “potential dangers to public peace and tranquility”.
The police reports recommended their detention under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, for 30 days, saying this was necessary “in order to keep the law & order situation in the city intact”.
The request was subsequently placed before the District Intelligence Committee at a meeting chaired by the Lahore deputy commissioner on September 20. The order said the matter was “discussed in detail” and that committee members “endorsed the evidence/material provided/shared by the Police Department”.
The committee then “unanimously recommended that a detention order may be issued” against Noreen and Uzma to maintain the law and order situation in Lahore, according to the order.
The deputy commissioner said that, after reviewing the material submitted by the Lahore police chief and the committee’s recommendation, he was “convinced” that the presence of the two women “at any public place will pose a grave threat to the public safety and will likely cause breach of public peace and public order”.
The order directed that Noreen and Uzma “be arrested and detained for a period of 30-days from the date of arrest”, with their custody placed under the Superintendent of Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat.
The order said they “shall be at liberty to make a representation to the Provincial Government against this order”.
PTI decries detention
Earlier, PTI members alleged that the two sisters of party founder Imran Khan, along with their children, were arrested by Punjab Police. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the family members had been placed in an armoured vehicle and were being taken to an undisclosed location.
“Punjab Police have arrested both sisters of Imran Khan, along with their children and the sons of Aleema Khan. They have been placed in an armoured vehicle and are being taken to an unknown location,” Akram said in a post on X early Monday.
Punjab Police have arrested both sisters of Imran Khan, along with their children and the sons of Aleema Khan Sahiba. They have been placed in an armoured vehicle and are being taken to an unknown location. Shame on the Government of Punjab and Punjab Police. This action is…
— Sheikh Waqas Akram (@SheikhWaqqas) September 20, 2026
In a separate statement, PTI condemned what it called the “illegal and high-handed action” of Punjab Police, alleging that the arrests amounted to an abuse of authority, a violation of fundamental rights and “political victimisation.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf strongly condemns the illegal and high handed action of Punjab Police in arresting both sisters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, their children, and the sons of Aleema Khan Sahiba.
According to information received, they have been placed in an…
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 20, 2026
“Targeting women and children of a political family in this manner exposes the true face of the Punjab Government and Punjab Police,” the party said, adding that the conduct was “illegal, unconstitutional” and should be condemned.
The party demanded the immediate disclosure of the family members’ whereabouts, their safe return and their production before a court of law.
The allegations were followed by a series of posts from Imran’s son Kasim Khan. “This is a disgrace,” Kasim wrote on X at around 2:55am. “Now my Aunts Dr Uzma and Noreen, along with my cousins Shershah and Shahrez have now been abducted as well.”
This is a disgrace.
Now my Aunts Dr. Uzma and Noureen, along with my cousins Shershah and Shahrez have now been abducted as well.
They have broken into my aunties and cousins houses and forced them
into vehicles with no explanation.
No reasons for arrest have been stated.
No… https://t.co/8uIrTAcVhV
— Kasim Khan (@Kasim_Khan_1999) September 20, 2026
He alleged that people had entered the homes of his aunts and cousins and forced them into vehicles without providing an explanation. “They have broken into my aunties and cousins houses and forced them into vehicles with no explanation,” he wrote. Kasim added, “No reasons for arrest have been stated. No news has been released as to where they have been taken.”
He called the alleged detentions “criminal behaviour” and “inexcusable”, and said: “The Pakistani people are petrified of their own leaders.”
The situation appeared to take another turn when Kasim said two of Shahrez’s children, aged four and six, could also not be located.
And it get’s worse.
My cousin Shahrez’s 2 children of 4 and 6 years old are now missing.
There is no limit to their cruelty. Complete disregard for humanity. https://t.co/oUF0ummxOO
— Kasim Khan (@Kasim_Khan_1999) September 20, 2026
“And it gets worse,” he wrote in a subsequent post, adding, “My cousin Shahrez’s two children of 4 and 6 years are now missing. There is no limit to their cruelty. Complete disregard for humanity.”
About an hour later, Kasim said he had received news that the children were safe, but alleged that two more of his cousins had been arrested.
Hearing news that my cousin’s children are now safe 🙏.
Meanwhile two more of my cousins have been arrested. Azeem and Sakeenah.
No reasons given.
No location given. https://t.co/rkgzrw8Yul
— Kasim Khan (@Kasim_Khan_1999) September 20, 2026
“Hearing news that my cousin’s children are now safe,” he wrote. “Meanwhile, two more of my cousins have been arrested. Azeem and Sakeenah. No reasons given. No location given.”
CM Afridi reaches Lahore
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also said he had travelled to Lahore after receiving information that Noreen and Dr Uzma were at risk of arrest.
In a video message recorded near Lahore on the motorway in the early hours of Monday, CM Afridi said he had been in contact with the two women and had asked them to remain inside their homes until he arrived.
“I was informed that Noreen and Uzma Bibi were being arrested,” he said. “I left for Lahore to pick up Noreen Apa.” The chief minister stated that he had told the two women he would take them to K-P, but alleged that unidentified people subsequently entered their homes and allegedly abducted them.
“The kidnappers attacked their homes, vandalised their houses and have now taken them away,” he said, adding that his contact with the two women had since been cut off. “I am repeatedly trying to contact them, but I have not been able to get through,” he said.
“If you will not respect someone’s mother, sister or daughter, if you will pick up the entire family of a former prime minister, then where will Pakistan go?” CM Afridi questioned.
Read: PTI to finalise capital march strategy
The chief minister also alleged that PTI workers and their families had faced similar treatment in recent days. He claimed that people in “plain clothes” had been tearing down PTI banners, burning party materials and entering its conventions.
He also alleged that a provincial minister had been targeted and an attempt made to abduct him, accusing authorities of violating the sanctity of homes.
Aleema detained ahead of September 27 protest
The latest allegations followed the detention of Aleema on Sunday. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ijaz issued an order directing that Aleema and PTI leader Muhammad Ameer be arrested and detained for 30 days under Section 3 of the Punjab MPO Ordinance.
According to the order, police and intelligence officials had reported that the two were involved in the May 9, 2023 protests and road blockades and had allegedly encouraged workers to damage public and government property.
The order also alleged that Aleema and Ameer were mobilising workers through social media and public meetings and raising slogans that could provoke or incite people. The District Intelligence Committee subsequently endorsed the material submitted by police and recommended their detention.
The deputy commissioner said their presence in public places could pose a “grave threat to public safety” and lead to a breach of public peace and order.
Police later confirmed that Aleema was taken to Kot Lakhpat Jail. Her son Shahrez Khan, however, alleged that his mother had been “abducted” after leaving home and said the family had initially been unable to establish her whereabouts. “She is on bail in all cases against her in Lahore,” he said, demanding that the government disclose her whereabouts and ensure her safe return.
Read More: PTI condemns Aleema Khan’s arrest as Lahore DC orders 30-day detention
Police also detained Imran’s niece Hajra Niazi and her husband on Sunday, according to sources. They were later released after being taken to separate police stations.
The detentions came less than a week before PTI’s planned September 27 protest and march, which the party has said will seek the release of Imran and press for what it calls the supremacy of the Constitution.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned Aleema’s detention and said the party’s planned march would remain peaceful. “Our march will be peaceful and political. We do not want any confrontation or violence,” he said.
The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan also condemned Aleema’s detention, alleging that the Punjab government’s actions were aimed at disrupting political activity ahead of the September 27 protest.
CM Afridi, in his video message, linked the latest developments to the wider political tensions surrounding the planned protest. He also questioned recent statements about relations between the provinces and warned against what he described as attempts to divide Pakistan. “Is there a conspiracy to break Pakistan?” he asked.
The chief minister said Pakistan belonged to all its citizens and urged supporters not to allow the country to be divided.
