Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, was arrested in Lahore ahead of planned nationwide protests. Khan's PTI party has condemned the arrest as an illegal attempt to silence her.
Key facts
- Aleema Khan, sister of jailed former PM Imran Khan, was arrested at her home in Lahore.
- The arrest came ahead of planned country-wide PTI protests.
- She is accused of mobilising her brother's supporters, according to the BBC.
- Imran Khan's PTI party condemned the arrest as an illegal attempt to silence her.
- The party linked the move to Khan's ongoing imprisonment.
Police have arrested Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, at her home in Lahore, according to a spokesperson from his political party, Sky News reported.
The arrest came ahead of planned country-wide protests organised by Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). According to the BBC, Aleema Khanum is accused of mobilising her brother’s supporters ahead of the demonstrations.
Khan’s party condemned the arrest, describing it as an illegal attempt to silence her over the PTI leader’s ongoing imprisonment, according to Al Jazeera.
Imran Khan, the former prime minister, remains in prison. The reporting ties the timing of his sister’s arrest to the planned PTI march and to his continued detention.
The detention of a close family member of the former prime minister marks the latest flashpoint between Khan’s party and Pakistani authorities, coming as PTI seeks to rally supporters across the country.
Why it matters
The arrest of a prominent relative of Imran Khan just before planned protests highlights the continuing standoff between his party and Pakistani authorities. It raises questions about the space for political opposition and public assembly in the country while the former leader remains imprisoned.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Aleema Khan?
Aleema Khan, also referred to as Aleema Khanum, is the sister of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. She was arrested at her home in Lahore.
Why was she arrested?
According to the BBC, she is accused of mobilising her brother's supporters ahead of planned country-wide protests. Imran Khan's party says the arrest was an illegal attempt to silence her.
What does Imran Khan's party say about the arrest?
His party, the PTI, condemned the arrest as an illegal attempt to silence her over the PTI leader's ongoing imprisonment, according to Al Jazeera.