Imran Khan's Three Sisters Arrested in Lahore Ahead of Major PTI Protest

Tensions have been high in Pakistan since the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been planning a large protest march for September 27 to demand his release. In the days leading up to the protest, authorities began to increase pressure on PTI leaders and supporters, citing security concerns and public order.

Imran Khan's family has played a visible role in supporting him throughout his incarceration. His sisters, in particular, have spoken out in the media and at public meetings, calling for his release and criticizing the government's actions.

On September 20, Aleema Khan, one of Imran Khan's sisters, was arrested at her home in Lahore. Local police detained her under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, which allows authorities to hold individuals considered threats to public peace, especially ahead of major protests. The same day, two other sisters, Dr Uzma and Noreen Khan, were also taken into custody, according to statements from family members and PTI.

Family members allege that the women were forcibly removed from their homes without any legal documents being shown. Imran Khan's son and other relatives described the actions as abductions rather than formal arrests. The local deputy commissioner ordered the three sisters to be held for 30 days, citing the need to prevent unrest during the upcoming PTI march.

PTI officials condemned the arrests, warning that such measures could further inflame political tensions. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, described the detentions as arbitrary and a violation of civil rights.

In response to the planned march and the risk of clashes, authorities in Islamabad and Lahore increased security and ordered hospitals to prepare for potential mass casualties.

As of now, Aleema, Uzma, and Noreen Khan remain in detention in Lahore under the Maintenance of Public Order law. The PTI has continued to call for their release, insisting the arrests are politically motivated. Family members maintain that legal procedures were not followed during their detention.

With the September 27 PTI protest approaching, the situation remains tense. Security forces have cordoned off key areas, and the government is bracing for possible unrest.

The immediate focus will be on the PTI's planned protest march in Islamabad and whether authorities will further crack down on party supporters. The legal challenges to the sisters' detention and any international response from human rights groups are also developments to monitor.