Three sisters of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have been detained in Lahore, according to the family and officials from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The detentions occurred ahead of a planned September 27 march on the capital, Islamabad, where supporters intend to demand Khan's release.

Authorities have confirmed that one of Khan's sisters, Aleema Khan, has been ordered to be held for a period of 30 days. The PTI and Khan's family allege that the detentions are politically motivated, aimed at disrupting the planned protest and suppressing dissent.

The detentions add another layer of tension to the ongoing political climate in Pakistan, where Khan remains a prominent opposition figure. His supporters have been vocal in their calls for his freedom and have organized various demonstrations since his arrest.

Details regarding the specific charges or reasons for the detentions of the other two sisters have not yet been fully disclosed by authorities. The PTI has stated it is working to secure their release and understand the legal basis for their confinement.

The planned march on Islamabad is intended to exert pressure on the government to release Khan, who was removed from office via a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and has since faced multiple legal challenges. His party has accused the current administration of using the legal system to target its leadership.

Human rights organizations have previously raised concerns about the treatment of political opponents in Pakistan. The detentions of Khan's sisters are likely to draw further scrutiny from international observers and rights groups monitoring the country's political situation.

The PTI has indicated that the march will proceed as planned, regardless of these detentions, signaling continued defiance from the party and its supporters. The focus now shifts to the government's response and the potential impact of these detentions on the upcoming protest.