LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that Aleema Khan, a sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, had been provided with basic facilities and essential items in jail.

Aleema was detained on Sept 20 after the Lahore deputy commissioner ordered her detention or arrest under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

The detention has come amid reports of a crackdown on the PTI ahead of its countrywide protest and march on Islamabad, which the party has postponed to Oct 4. The protest has been called to demand Imran’s release from jail and mobilise people for the supremacy of the Constitution.

Assistant Advocate General Farrukh Khan Lodhi submitted a report on behalf of the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent during the hearing of a petition filed by Shahrez Khan, Aleema’s son.

Hammad’s physical remand extended

According to the report, Aleema had been provided with a bedsheet, a blanket, shoes, six suits and a towel. She was also given face wash, a toothbrush, a skincare kit and a shawl, it added. In light of the government’s report, Justice Abher Gul Khan disposed of the petition.

The judge also directed the home secretary to decide, in accordance with the law, on the petitioner’s request seeking permission to meet Aleema.

At the last hearing on Sept 26, Barrister Taimur Malik had told the court that his client, Aleema, was facing difficulties in receiving her medicines and other essentials in jail.

Aleema’s sisters, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, have also been detained for 30 days ahead of the PTI’s protest and march.

On Sept 24, the LHC turned down a request to immediately suspend the preventive detention notifications issued against Noreen and Uzma.

Hammad: An antiterrorism court (ATC) on Monday extended the physical remand of PTI leader Hammad Azhar for another seven days in the 2023 Jinnah House attack case.

Sarwar Road police had booked several PTI leaders and workers on charges of attacking and vandalising the Jinnah House (Corps Commander House) during the May 9, 2023 protests against the arrest of ex-premier Imran Khan.

On Monday, police produced the former federal finance minister before ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill upon the completion of his 21-day physical remand.

During the hearing, a state prosecutor said police needed further remand to recover the suspect’s mobile phone and SIM, describing them as important pieces of evidence. He urged the court to extend the remand for a further seven days.

Speaking before the court, Azhar questioned why further remand was being sought, saying he had already been kept on physical remand for 21 days in an alleged occurrence where he said he was not even present.

“Even a murder suspect is sent on 14-day remand here. Has my offence become more serious than murder?” he asked.

The former minister also complained that he had earlier not been allowed to meet his lawyers or family members — a concern also voiced earlier by his family before a court.

The ATC then reserved its decision on the prosecution’s request for further remand, and later announced its decision, granting the police Azhar’s remand for another seven days.

Separately, a two-member Lahore High Court (LHC) bench, headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, disposed of a petition filed by Azhar’s mother and wife against the alleged denial of access to him during police custody.

The ATC had already disposed of a similar plea filed by the family, directing them to approach the police on the matter.

A Punjab government lawyer informed the LHC bench that Azhar had been allowed to meet his mother and wife.

The law officer further said that the PTI leader would also meet his lawyer at the trial court on Monday.

Relying on the government lawyer’s statement, the bench disposed of the petition.

According to his family, Azhar was arrested on Sept 5. However, police said the next day that they were unaware of his arrest, prompting the PTI leader’s mother to approach the LHC on Sept 7. He was produced before an ATC the same day.

Azhar, the son of late former Punjab governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, was declared a proclaimed offender by multiple anti-terrorism courts for not joining the proceedings against him in cases related to the May 9 riots.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026