Pakistani authorities have arrested three sisters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan as part of a crackdown on plans for a nationwide protest seeking his release, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Three sisters of Imran Khan — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi — have been arrested.
- Their lawyer said they were jailed for 30 days under a warrant accusing them of being a threat to public order.
- The arrests come amid a government crackdown on planned nationwide protests demanding Khan's release.
- Khan's family and supporters say authorities are 'slowly killing' him in prison.
Three sisters of Pakistan’s incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan have been arrested as part of what the Guardian described as a heavy-handed government crackdown ahead of a planned nationwide protest demanding his release.
The lawyer for the three sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi — said on Monday that all three had been detained and jailed for 30 days. According to the lawyer, the detentions were carried out under a warrant that accused the women of being a threat to public order.
The arrests are tied to plans for a nationwide protest calling for Khan’s release from prison, the Guardian reported. Police have been cracking down on both family members and political supporters connected to the former prime minister.
Khan’s family and political supporters say authorities are ‘slowly killing’ him in prison, according to the Guardian. The claim underscores the concerns raised by those close to Khan about his treatment while incarcerated.
The detention of close family members marks a further escalation in the confrontation between the state and Khan’s political movement, as supporters continue to press for his release.
Why it matters
The jailing of Imran Khan's sisters signals an intensifying standoff between Pakistan's authorities and the former prime minister's political movement. It raises questions about the treatment of political opponents and their families, and about the space for public protest in the country.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the three sisters that were arrested?
According to the Guardian, the three sisters are Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, all sisters of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Why were the sisters detained?
Their lawyer said they were jailed for 30 days under a warrant that accused them of being a threat to public order, amid a crackdown on planned protests seeking Khan's release.
What are Khan's supporters saying about his imprisonment?
Khan's family and political supporters say authorities are 'slowly killing' him in prison, according to the Guardian.