Pakistani police arrested Alima Khan, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, at her Lahore home on Sunday. The arrest was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party in the Punjab province. According to the spokesperson, Alima Khan was detained before a planned protest march by the party to demand the release of Imran Khan, who has been in prison since 2023 on corruption charges.
Imran Khan, 73, served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. His imprisonment in 2023 sparked nationwide protests in May of that year. The Lahore city administration stated that Alima Khan would be detained for 30 days, citing intelligence reports that her presence in public would pose a serious threat to public security. The administration's decision was made in anticipation of potential unrest during the planned protest march.
The arrest of Alima Khan was condemned by Zulfy Bukhari, a close aide to Imran Khan, who described it as a "lowly act." Bukhari suggested that the arrest was motivated by a desire to intimidate the party and prevent the September 27 protest march. The Pakistani government has hinted at banning the march, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stating on Saturday that the government would do its best to prevent the protest.
Imran Khan's imprisonment has been a contentious issue in Pakistan, with his supporters and party members demanding his release. The former Prime Minister has denied the corruption charges against him. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has continued to mobilize support for Khan, despite government efforts to restrict their activities.
The arrest of Alima Khan has sparked concerns about the government's crackdown on opposition voices. The move has been seen as an attempt to silence Khan's supporters and undermine the party's ability to mobilize protests. The situation remains tense in Pakistan, with the government and opposition parties locked in a struggle for power and influence.
The Lahore city administration's decision to detain Alima Khan for 30 days has been criticized by human rights groups and opposition parties. They argue that the detention is arbitrary and violates Alima Khan's fundamental rights. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the use of detention as a tool of political repression in Pakistan.
The planned protest march on September 27 is expected to draw large crowds of Imran Khan supporters. Despite the government's efforts to ban the march, party members remain determined to go ahead with the protest. The situation in Pakistan remains volatile, with tensions running high between the government and opposition parties.
Key points
- Pakistani police arrested Alima Khan, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, at her Lahore home on Sunday.
- The arrest was made ahead of a planned protest march on September 27 to demand Imran Khan's release.
- Imran Khan has been in prison since 2023 on corruption charges, which he denies.
