What happened
Noreen Niazi, a sister of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was transferred from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology on Wednesday due to high blood pressure, according to a report by Dawn.
Her lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umer, stated that jail doctors recommended her hospital transfer, where she arrived at approximately 7:30 p.m. to undergo medical tests. Umer claimed that family members were not alerted about her medical condition. He further alleged that prison officials consistently denied medication to Khan's sisters, mentioning that Uzma Khan, who is a heart patient, received her medicine only after her husband obtained a Lahore High Court order. However, a senior jail officer refuted these allegations to Dawn, stating that inmates are permitted to receive daily-use items and medications, and that all three sisters were receiving them.
Key facts
According to Dawn, several key details surround the detention of Imran Khan's relatives:
- Three of Khan's sisters—Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Uzma Khan—have been held under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) since September 21 following orders from the Lahore deputy commissioner.
- Their detention was extended on October 7, putting them in their second 30-day detention period.
- The lawyer reported filing several petitions with the Punjab home secretary and the Lahore deputy commissioner requesting visitation rights for family and legal counsel, but stated the deputy commissioner had not responded. A jail official noted that visitations require a by-name written order from the deputy commissioner.
- The Lahore High Court previously declined a request on September 24 to immediately suspend the preventive detention notifications for Noreen and Dr Uzma.
- Earlier this month, Imran Khan's cousin, Qasim Zaman, was taken into custody while attempting to visit the former prime minister at Adiala jail.
Why it matters
The detentions were carried out as the PTI prepared for a planned protest march to Islamabad demanding Khan's release and advocating for constitutional supremacy. Conflict between defense lawyers and prison officials underscores persistent disputes regarding the care and visitation access permitted for the detained family members. Exact updates on Noreen Niazi's current medical test results are Not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 28, 2026 · Photo by Syed Ali Hassan on Unsplash
