The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan, the sister of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), after she failed to appear in court during the hearing of a protest-related case.
The case relates to the November 26 protest and was taken up for hearing on Tuesday. Neither Aleema Khan nor her legal counsel appeared before the court, prompting the judge to take strict notice of their absence. The court observed that no valid reason was provided for her non-appearance and stated that she does not enjoy any legal immunity.
While issuing the non-bailable warrant, the court ordered law enforcement agencies to arrest Aleema Khan and produce her before the court. During the same hearing, the judge approved a request to include Salman Riaz of the National Counter Terrorism Intelligence (NCCI) as a prosecution witness.
The Anti-Terrorism Court adjourned further proceedings in the case until tomorrow, while reiterating that the law applies equally to all and court orders must be followed.
Earlier, A Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan. She is the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. The warrant relates to the November 26, 2024, protest in Islamabad.
Aleema has repeatedly failed to appear in court despite several summons. During Monday’s hearing, her lawyer stated that she would not attend until her bank accounts and national identity card (CNIC) are unfrozen.
The special prosecutor, Zaheer Shah, rejected this claim. He said no suspect can dictate court procedures. He added that the trial will continue on a daily basis.
The court ordered the Rawalpindi superintendent of police (SP) to arrest Aleema and produce her in court by February 3. Her CNIC and bank accounts will remain blocked until she complies. Notices were also sent to her guarantor.
Aleema is facing charges along with ten others for the November 26 protest. On that day, PTI supporters gathered in defiance of a ban on public assemblies. They clashed with law enforcement near D-Chowk in Islamabad. Police used teargas to disperse the crowd.
The protest aimed to pressure the government to release Imran Khan. He has been in custody since August 2023. He faces multiple cases, including charges related to corruption and terrorism, following his removal from office in April 2022.
