Aleema Khanum, the sister of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, was detained by police in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday afternoon. Officials from Khan's political party, the PTI, immediately condemned the move, describing it as an "illegal detention", while her son has publicly demanded her return.

A police official confirmed Khanum's arrest to the BBC. According to the official order, she is to be transferred directly to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

The official arrest order outlines the state's case against her, claiming Khanum had been actively mobilising members of the public to "create law and order situations". The document also accuses her of "raising/chanting objectionable slogans amongst the general public against the Government."

Khanum has been a prominent and vocal critic of her brother's imprisonment over recent years. She has regularly spoken directly to Khan's supporters and addressed the media, including an appearance in January 2025 outside Adiala jail following one of his sentencing hearings.

Her detention comes amid growing political friction, with many linking the arrest to nationwide protests scheduled for 27 September. On that date, opposition demonstrators are planning to march directly into the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

The authorities are already preparing for widespread disruption in the capital. Streets across Islamabad have been lined with shipping containers, positioned in advance to safeguard key government buildings from the expected crowds.

Pakistan's government has signalled a zero-tolerance approach to the planned unrest. Local media has reported Pakistan's interior minister as saying that the protests harm the country, warning that the government will do everything they can to stop them.

To understand why tensions are running so high, we have to look at the situation facing Imran Khan himself. The cricket star-turned-politician has been in custody since 2023, when he received a three-year prison sentence for failing to declare earnings from the sale of state gifts received during his premiership.

Khan's legal battles have multiplied significantly since then. He has faced charges in over 100 separate cases, ranging from the alleged leaking of state secrets to further state gift offences, decrying every allegation against him as politically motivated.

Last year, Khan received his longest sentence yet, when he was jailed for 14 years in connection with a land corruption case.

While in prison, Khan's health has reportedly been deteriorating. The former prime minister had to be taken to a hospital for a medical examination last month as concerns over his condition persist.

What we do not know yet is how long Khanum will remain detained at Kot Lakhpat jail, or whether her arrest will deter demonstrators ahead of the 27 September march. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.