Islamabad, Sept 22:
Pakistan police have arrested two more sisters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of a planned protest march by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party demanding his release.
Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained for 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, officials said. They were arrested along with two of Khan’s nephews and shifted to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.
The arrests came a day after another of Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, was detained under the same law and transferred to the same prison.
The PTI has announced a long march to Islamabad on September 27 as part of its campaign seeking the release of Khan, who remains in jail in connection with several cases.
The successive detentions of members of Khan’s family have added to tensions ahead of the planned demonstration. PTI supporters have criticised the arrests, while authorities have cited public-order provisions for the detentions.
Khan’s sisters have remained active in seeking his release and have frequently appeared at protests and public gatherings organised by his supporters.
The latest arrests come as Pakistan’s political environment remains tense ahead of the planned PTI mobilisation.