Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was detained by police in Lahore under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, Geo News reported on Sunday, citing party sources.
According to the sources, Aleema had left her home on Lahore’s Upper Mall to go to a gym when police took her into custody. She was later shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail.
The sources said Lytton Road police detained Aleema, while her vehicle remained parked at the police station.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said negotiations with the government had made no progress, describing the current political environment as “cold”.
“Negotiations should take place, but currently the environment is cold; nothing could be worked out,” Gohar told Geo News in Peshawar.
He said political issues required political solutions and all sides would need to take steps back to resolve their differences.
The PTI has announced nationwide protests, including a march towards Islamabad on September 27. The party is demanding the release of Imran Khan and calling for the supremacy of the Constitution.
Gohar’s remarks came a day after Senate Opposition Leader and Tehreek Tahaffuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) Vice Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had met opposition leaders.
Speaking to the media at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Abbas said they had conveyed their position to the interior minister. He added that Naqvi had been told only Imran Khan could decide whether to postpone the September 27 march, according to The News.
Asked about meetings with Naqvi, Gohar did not deny them.
“I do not deny meetings with Mohsin Naqvi; meetings keep happening,” he said.
Gohar also said efforts were underway to strengthen the capacity of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police. He noted that the provincial government had spent Rs45 billion on the police department last year.
“We will ensure that there is no political interference in the police,” he said.
Regarding the chief minister’s authority over the police, Gohar said the powers would not be used according to personal preferences.
“The chief minister will take steps for the improvement of the police,” he added.
PTI raises concerns over court orders
Gohar also expressed concern over court orders concerning the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief and said the court should not have sought an affidavit from the inspector general of police.
He was referring to an Islamabad High Court ruling directing provincial governments and chief ministers to ensure that government resources were not used to facilitate participation in protests heading towards Islamabad.
The court issued the order while hearing a petition challenging the PTI’s planned march. It also directed provincial governments to ensure that no public servant was forced to participate in a march towards the federal capital.
On Saturday, KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed directed police officers not to facilitate any march, rally or procession heading towards Islamabad.
Gohar said no impression should be created that the people and police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would confront each other during the protest.
“We will not break any law during the protest, nor will we block roads,” he said.
The PTI chairman also assured that government resources would not be used for the party’s planned march towards Islamabad.