Aleema Khan, the sister of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, was detained on Sunday, September 20, 2026, before a planned protest by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. According to The Hindu, she was taken into custody in Lahore and transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960. The PTI condemned the arrest as illegal and demanded her immediate release.

Detention Under Public Order Law

The Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, allows local police to arrest individuals deemed a threat to public peace; Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Muhammad Ali Ijaz, issued the detention order for a 30-day period. The Hindu reported that Aleema, 73, has been advocating for her brother’s release since his incarceration in August 2023; those detained under the ordinance can challenge the order in the High Court or make a representation to the provincial government.

PTI Condemns the Action

PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram described the arrest as an act of cowardice and a deliberate attempt to worsen the situation; he emphasized that the arrest of an elderly woman, the sister of an imprisoned former prime minister, was illegal and politically motivated. “A sister is being punished for speaking up for her brother,” Akram wrote on X. Al Jazeera reported similar sentiments, noting that Aleema has bail in all her cases in Lahore but it is unclear in which case or location she is being held.

Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Health

Imran Khan, 73, has been jailed since August 2023 over a series of convictions that his party calls politically driven, and According to Al Jazeera, all but one have since been suspended or overturned on appeal. His sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, have expressed growing concern over their father’s health, including his right eye condition which has required months of specialist treatment. The Supreme Court had previously ordered his transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical care until the next hearing of his case.

Rediff reported that Khan was recently shifted back to Adiala jail after a team of doctors declared him medically fit; the transfer occurred at approximately 5 am, though the news outlet did not name Khan. Earlier, the PTI had confirmed that Khan had been moved to Shifa International Hospital following a Supreme Court order, though the government sought to review and recall the court’s order but was denied due to incomplete paper books in the petition.

The PTI had warned of filing a contempt of court petition if Khan was not admitted to the hospital by Thursday 11:59 pm; Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, claimed there was no set deadline for the hospital transfer. Khan’s family and supporters have consistently raised concerns about his health and treatment while in custody.