LAHORE: Political temperature over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) scheduled protest on September 27 increased on Thursday as the Lahore High Court (LHC) refused to stay the 30-day detention orders of Imran Khan’s sisters Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi on a daily basis.

Justice Abher Gul Khan heard the petitions against the sisters’ detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. Their lawyers said both women were non-political and there was no reason for their detention.

They informed the court that Uzma had already been acquitted in a case registered against her, and a copy of the trial court’s decision declaring her innocent was on the case record.

The counsel requested the court to immediately suspend the detention notifications for Uzma and Noreen.

 But the court decided to first seek responses from the Punjab government and other concerned authorities before entertaining the request for suspension.

Thereafter, the court issued notices to the respondents calling for their replies on the petition. Among the respondents were the deputy commissioner of Lahore and capital city police officer, the home department secretary and Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent.

Justice Abher had on Tuesday sought arguments on the maintainability of the plea during the hearing of a petition against Aleema and her driver’s detention. The hearing will be continued in court on Thursday.

Uzma and Noreen were arrested on September 21, a day after their sister Aleema Khan’s arrest. They were taken into custody before the planned countrywide protest and march of the PTI toward Islamabad on September 27.

The move comes after a crackdown by authorities ahead of the planned mobilization. The Islamabad High Court has ruled that political parties have no legal right to stop the movement of the public or block the roads and other public places in the federal capital.

Meanwhile, Punjab police have warned that violators of law during the September 27 protests will be dealt with as per the law. Gatherings have been restricted by the provincial government, and authorities have also demanded more security in several districts.

The government also has cited possible economic consequences of extended political unrest. Strikes, sit-ins, long marches and road closures could cost the country about Rs120 billion a day, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said.

With court proceedings under way and the PTI remaining firm on its protest plans, September 27 is likely to be a crucial day for the Pakistan political landscape.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)