Aleema Khanum, sister of Pakistan’s jailed ex-PM Imran Khan, arrested

Aleema Khanum, the sister of Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, was arrested in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday afternoon, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said. PTI officials called the detention illegal, and the arrest order, issued by Lahore’s deputy commissioner, states that she will be held for 30 days.

Who is Aleema Khanum?

Khanum is a sister of Imran Khan and a vocal critic of his detention, regularly speaking to his supporters and to journalists. Her son, Shahrez Khan, wrote on X earlier on Sunday that the family had had “no contact or news of her whereabouts”, adding: “We demand the government immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her safe return.”

A police official confirmed Khanum’s arrest to the BBC. According to the arrest order, she will be taken to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

What does the arrest order say?

The order from Lahore’s deputy commissioner alleged that Khanum was mobilising Imran Khan’s supporters “through social media and public meetings”. It said she had been mobilising people to “create law and order situations” and accused her of “raising/chanting objectionable slogans amongst the general public against the Government”.

Why is the arrest linked to protests on 27 September?

Many have connected Khanum’s arrest to demonstrations organised across Pakistan on 27 September, when protesters plan to march to the capital, Islamabad. Streets in Islamabad are already lined with shipping containers, positioned to safeguard the city’s government buildings. Local media has reported Pakistan’s interior minister as saying the protests harm the country and that the government will do everything it can to stop them.

What is Imran Khan’s legal situation?

Imran Khan has been detained since 2023, when he was sentenced to three years in prison for not declaring money earned from selling gifts he had received while in office. He has faced charges in more than 100 cases, ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts, all of which he has described as politically motivated.

Last year the cricket star-turned-politician was jailed for 14 years in a land corruption case, the longest sentence he has received. His health has been deteriorating in prison, and last month he was taken to a hospital for an examination.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Aleema Khanum?

Aleema Khanum is a sister of Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan and a vocal critic of his detention, who regularly speaks to his supporters and to the media.

Why was Aleema Khanum arrested?

An arrest order issued by Lahore’s deputy commissioner alleged she was mobilising Imran Khan’s supporters through social media and public meetings. Her party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, called the detention illegal.

How long will Aleema Khanum be detained?

The arrest order states she will be detained for 30 days and will be taken to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

When are the protests in Pakistan planned?

Demonstrations are organised across the country for 27 September, when protesters plan to march to the capital, Islamabad. Streets in Islamabad are already lined with shipping containers to protect government buildings.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Container Stack — Bob Richards / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)