Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan’s sister arrested ahead of pro-PTI protests

Aleema Khanum, sister of Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, has been arrested in Lahore ahead of next week’s protests in his support, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said. A police official confirmed the arrest to the BBC. PTI called the detention “illegal.”

The arrest order, issued by Lahore’s deputy commissioner, accused her of mobilising supporters through social media and public meetings. It said she would be held for 30 days at Kot Lakhpat jail. Her son, Shahrez Khan, demanded her return on X.

Protests are planned nationwide on 27 September, with a march on Islamabad. Local media reported the interior minister said the government would do everything to stop them. Khan has been detained since 2023.