LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Noreen Niazi, the sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, and her two daughters on Tuesday (tomorrow).

Justice Abher Gul Khan issued the directives while hearing petitions challenging the extensions in the detention orders of Imran’s sisters Noreen, Uzma Khan and Aleema Khanum.

The judge also summoned the Lahore deputy commissioner to appear in person on Nov 4 and explain the extensions in the detention orders of Noreen and Uzma Khan.

Aleema and Noreen, along with their sister Uzma Khan, were detained under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 in September, as the PTI geared up for a protest march to Islamabad. Their detentions have come amid reports of several PTI leaders and workers being taken into custody ahead of the march planned to demand Imran’s release from prison.

Among them, Aleema was detained on Sept 20 for 30 days and Noreen and Uzma the next day for the same period. Their detention was challenged in the court after the 30-day period lapsed last month, following which the Punjab government informed the court that their detention periods had been extended for another 30 days.

During Monday’s hearing, the petitioners’ counsel Rana Mudassar Umar told the court that Noreen’s two daughters and lawyers wanted to meet her. He expressed concern over her health, saying she was an elderly woman and her actual condition could only be ascertained after meeting her.

Among the three detainees, Noreen had been shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) following her deteriorating health, on the recommendation of the doctors of the Kot Lakhpat Jail, where she has been detained. Later, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, had informed the Senate that Noreen was fine after being provided medical treatment in Lahore.

On Monday, the judge asked a provincial law officer whether a specific day had been fixed for prisoners’ meetings. The law officer said the jail authorities had no objection to allowing the meeting.

The law officer also submitted a report on behalf of the Home Department, stating that Noreen had been taken to hospital for treatment and subsequently shifted back to jail on doctors’ advice. He said her daughter, Hajira Niazi, had been allowed to meet her at the hospital on Oct 29.

The court subsequently directed the jail authorities to facilitate a meeting between Noreen and her two daughters on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the judge adjourned the hearing of a petition challenging Aleema’s fresh detention until next week.

Reports sought

Earlier in the day, the LHC had sought reports from the Punjab Home Department. Justice Khan directed the Home Department to submit the reports by 2pm as she heard pleas filed by Noreen’s daughter, Sakeena, and Shahrez Khan, Aleema’s son.

The petitioner’s counsel contended that Aleema, Noreen and Uzma’s detentions had been extended “unlawfully”. He noted that after the initial 30-day detention period, the Lahore deputy commissioner had issued a notification for its extension.

He claimed that the detained women had also not been allowed to meet their family members or lawyers.

The counsel asked the court to declare the fresh detention notifications “illegal”.

PTI Secretary General Advocate Salman Akram Raja informed the court that Aleema’s driver had also been detained. He requested the court to show leniency towards the driver, saying his family was deeply distressed.

Justice Khan then sought reports from the provincial Home Department and said she would examine the matter after going through the reports.