Imran Khan’s sister Noreen shifted to Lahore’s cardiac hospital after health deteriorates in jail

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s 70-year-old sister, Noreen Niazi, was shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore on Wednesday after her health reportedly worsened during detention, her lawyer said.

Noreen and her sisters, Aleema and Uzma, were detained in September under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, ahead of the PTI’s planned protest march towards Islamabad. Aleema was taken into custody on September 20, while Uzma and Noreen were detained a day later.

The initial detention orders were issued for 30 days. However, the authorities extended their detention at Kot Lakhpat Jail for another 30 days on October 7.

“Noreen Niazi Sahiba has been transferred to Punjab Institute of Cardiology due to deteriorating health in jail,” her lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umer, said in a post on X. He alleged that her family had not been informed about the transfer.

The PTI also expressed serious concern over Noreen’s reported health condition, describing her transfer to the hospital in an “extremely alarming condition”.

In a statement shared on X, the party criticised the authorities over the treatment of the 70-year-old and alleged that her detention was illegal and unconstitutional. It described the situation as an instance of state oppression and warned of concerns surrounding her health.

The party further questioned why no family member had been notified about her hospitalisation, calling the lack of communication unacceptable given the seriousness of her condition.