ISLAMABAD: Amnesty International has called on Pakistani authorities to immediately release members of former prime minister Imran Khan’s family and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists detained ahead of the party’s planned nationwide protests.
In a statement issued on September 21, Amnesty International said the arbitrary detention of Imran Khan’s family members, including his three sisters, as well as PTI activists, amounted to a violation of their rights to liberty, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The rights organisation said the detentions had taken place ahead of PTI’s planned protest and march towards Islamabad on September 27. It said the party had announced the demonstration to demand Imran Khan’s release and access to adequate healthcare and regular visits from his family and lawyers.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, said the pre-emptive arrests raised concerns about restrictions on peaceful assembly in Pakistan. He called on the authorities to uphold their obligations under international human rights law and refrain from measures aimed at preventing peaceful protests.
According to Amnesty International, Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. Several other family members and PTI activists were also taken into custody, with some subsequently released.
The detentions of the three sisters have also been challenged before the Lahore High Court, with a petition seeking annulment of the detention orders and their immediate release.
Amnesty International urged Pakistani authorities to immediately release Imran Khan’s relatives and PTI workers, saying they should not be detained solely because of their familial ties, political affiliation or plans to participate in protests.