Imran Khan’s sister Noreen taken to Punjab Institute of Cardiology after health issue in jail: lawyer

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi, 70, was admitted to Lahore’s Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) on Wednesday following a deterioration in her health while in custody, according to her legal counsel.

Imran’s sisters were detained in September under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, as the PTI prepared for a planned protest march towards Islamabad. Aleema was detained on September 20, while Uzma and Noreen were taken into custody on September 21. Their initial detention orders were issued for 30 days. The detention was later extended on October 7 for another 30 days.

“Noreen Niazi Sahiba has been transferred to Punjab Institute of Cardiology due to deteriorating health in jail,” her legal counsel, Rana Mudassar Umer, said on X.

He alleged that no family member was informed of her transfer to the hospital

PTI expresses concern over Noreen’s health, demands transparency over hospital transfer

PTI has expressed serious concern over the reported deterioration in Noreen’s health in detention and her transfer to the PIC in Lahore, in what the party described as an “extremely alarming condition”.

In a statement shared on X, the party criticised the authorities over the treatment of the 70-year-old, alleging that she was being held in illegal and unconstitutional detention. PTI described the situation as an example of state oppression and raised concerns about the risks to her health.

“The most shameful thing is that, despite such a grave situation, not even a single family member was informed about her transfer to the hospital,” the party said, while questioning the legal and administrative basis for transferring an elderly woman to the hospital without informing her loved ones.

PTI also accused the government of subjecting former prime minister’s sister and other members of his family to harassment and mistreatment for political reasons.

“If anything happens to her, the entire responsibility will lie directly with the current rulers and the relevant administration,” the statement read further.

Two days earlier on October 26, the Lahore High Court disposed of a petition for the release of Imran’s three sisters after the Punjab government confirmed that their detention had been extended by another 30 days.

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More to follow.