Pakistan: Arbitrary detention of Imran Khan’s family and party activists a flagrant violation of human rights

Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, described the targeting of Khan’s relatives and PTI activists as a flagrant violation of rights to liberty, expression, association and peaceful assembly, reflecting the severity of current restrictions in Pakistan.

The pre-emptive arrests came ahead of planned nationwide protests that officials had openly vowed to stop; roadblocks were already going up in Islamabad. Given the authorities’ record of reckless and unlawful force against protesters, these steps were worrying. A protest cannot be treated as violent before it has begun.

Pakistan must fulfil its international human-rights obligations by facilitating peaceful assembly and refraining from unlawful measures to block it. Amnesty called for the immediate release of Khan’s relatives and PTI workers, who were targeted solely for family ties, political affiliation and plans to protest.

Background: PTI’s march demands Khan’s release and, while he remains detained, proper healthcare and regular visits from family and lawyers.

Khan has been in Adiala Jail for three years, serving a 14-year corruption sentence and a separate 17-year sentence in a state-gifts case.

On 20 September, his sister Aleema Khan was placed in 30-day administrative detention at Kot Lakhpat under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960.

Early on 21 September, sisters Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, plus three younger relatives, were also taken into custody; the sisters remain in administrative detention while the younger relatives were released.

Several PTI MPs and dozens of activists were detained; some workers across Punjab were released only after signing affidavits promising not to join the protests.

The Islamabad High Court ruled that no party may occupy public roads, highways or government buildings.

Interior Minister Naqvi stated that no group would be allowed into Islamabad on 27 September and that any march would be stopped “in every possible way.”