The Arrest of Imran Khan's Family Ahead of September 27th Protest

USPA NEWS -
The Arrest of Imran Khan's Family Ahead of September 27 Protest -
What Is Happening in Pakistan?

1. Background: Imran Khan in Jail.

Former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a string of cases he says were politically driven, after being ousted from power in 2022. His party claims he is being kept in solitary confinement and facing health issues, which the government denies.

2. The Crackdown Before September 27.

PTI has announced a nationwide protest and long march towards Islamabad on September 27 demanding Imran Khan's release and for the supremacy of the Constitution. 8569

Ahead of that, authorities have launched a major crackdown.

Sep 20th 2026.
Aleema Khan, Imran Khan's sister, was arrested at her house in Lahore. A notification from Lahore's district administration said she was sent to jail for 30 days, citing intelligence reports that her presence would pose a "grave threat to public safety.

Sep 21/09/2026 (Today)
The other two sisters, Noreen Niazi and
Dr. Uzma Khan, have also been arrested and transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. Family sources said they were taken along with their children, who were later released.

All three sisters are now detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law for 30 days on orders of Lahore Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ijaz. With this, all three sisters of the former PM are in Kot Lakhpat jail. 41e1b52d9676

PTI also alleges that Aleema Khan's sons Sher Shah and Shah Rez were taken into custody and later released, and that 5 PTI parliamentarians including Sanaullah Masti Khel, Saifullah Niazi, Dawar Khan and others have been detained outside Parliament Lodges and in Mianwali.

The Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sep 19 that the government would do everything to stop the protest march.

PTI's reaction: Close aide Zulfi Bukhari called the arrest "absolutely despicable" and said "The fear of the 27th protest is clearly taking its toll". PTI Central Information Secretary called it "illegal and high handed" and "political victimisation.

Government's narrative: Detentions are preventive under MPO, based on District Intelligence Committee recommendations, due to concerns of disruption of law and order. 3. What is the September 27 Protest Plan? According to PTI leadership, the protest is not just Islamabad-centric: Participation is expected from across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with rallies by overseas Pakistanis.

Babar Awan has described it as a fight for "Haqeeqi Azadi" demanding release of Imran Khan. Earlier plans discussed included caravans assembling before moving towards Islamabad, with demonstrations outside Supreme Court and Adiala Jail. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is expected to play a leading role in mobilisation. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Sep 14th disposed of a petition to stop the protest. It rejected the request to ban it, but directed that no government machinery, vehicles or employees should be forced to participate, and that roads should not be blocked.

Authorities have already started placing containers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, PTI alleges.

4. Country-Wide and Overseas Protests.

The crackdown has triggered global outrage and overseas mobilization:

Inside Pakistan.
Punjab: Center of crackdown
Lahore Kot Lakhpat detentions, arrests in Mianwali.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Expected to be the main launching pad for the long march.

Sindh / Karachi, Balochistan, AJK,
GB:PTI Kisan Wing and local chapters have been briefed for simultaneous rallies.

Overseas / Country-wise.
PTI overseas chapters are calling for parallel protests on Sep 27-28.

United Kingdom (London):
UK-wide PTI chapters have previously assembled outside Pakistan High Commission to demand release of Imran Khan. A major protest is planned again in London on Sep 27Th 2026.

USA (Washington DC, New York, Houston)
US chapters planning demonstrations outside Pakistan Embassy and UN HQ.

Europe (EU, Germany, France, Italy, Spain).
Protests planned outside EU Parliament in Brussels and Pakistani consulates.

Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar):Silent vigils and online campaigns due to restrictions on street protests.

Canada, Australia:Rallies in Toronto, Melbourne, Sydney.

The international media is widely covering the crackdown, calling Pakistan's action against the family of a "superstar" cricketer-turned PM as ironic.

5. What Happens Next ? 1. The 30-day MPO detentions mean Aleema, Noreen and Uzma will remain in jail through the Sep 27 protest unless courts overturn the orders. 2. PTI has demanded immediate disclosure of whereabouts and production before court. 3. All eyes on IHC and Lahore High Court for bail hearings this week, and whether the Sep 27 march will be allowed to enter Islamabad. ( A special edition article by Aurangzeb Akbar ) Investigative Journalist London UK