Long-imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, was arrested from her home in Lahore on Sunday ahead of a planned march on September 27.
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Police arrested Aleema as she was planning a protest march organised by Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). A PTI spokesperson confirmed her arrest to Reuters.
A notification issued by Lahore's district administration said Aleema Khan had been arrested and sent to jail for 30 days, citing concerns over public safety.
“According to intelligence reports, her presence at any public place will pose a grave threat to public safety,” the notification said.
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has planned a march to Islamabad next week, demanding the former prime minister's release.
Pakistan interior minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that the government would take all possible measures to prevent the protest march.
Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide to Imran Khan, condemned Aleema's arrest as “absolutely despicable”.
“The fear of the 27th protest is clearly taking its toll,” Bukhari said.
The World Cup-winning cricket captain and former prime minister Imran Khan has been imprisoned for more than three years.
Khan's family, including his two sons, have repeatedly expressed concern over his health and alleged a conspiracy involving Pakistan's de facto leader and military chief Asim Munir.
