Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aleema Khan on Wednesday claimed that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against her in connection with a case related to the party’s November 2025 protest, while her lawyer argued that evidence presented in court contradicted the allegations against her.
Speaking to reporters outside the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi after the hearing, Aleema Khan’s counsel Faisal Malik said the prosecution’s case was based on allegations that she had conveyed PTI founder Imran Khan’s protest call to the public through the media ahead of the November 26 protest.
He said the prosecution alleged that the message led to an incident near Faizabad on November 27. However, Malik claimed that a prosecution witness had admitted during the hearing that the protest call had already been disseminated through the media before Aleema Khan allegedly conveyed it.
“If communicating the protest call was a crime, then the question arises whether any action was taken against any television channel that aired the same message,” he said.
Malik said the PTI founder’s message called for the rule of law and judicial independence and was not unlawful. He argued that the prosecution had failed to establish its case and that the court proceedings had shown it was based on social media video clips.
He further claimed that the incident on which the prosecution had built its case did not occur as alleged and said roads had been reopened on the night of November 26 following a security operation.
Speaking on the occasion, Aleema Khan questioned the basis of the case against her and said criminal cases should not proceed without evidence.
She criticised what she described as politically motivated cases and alleged that constitutional amendments had been introduced to protect vested interests and influence judicial proceedings involving the PTI founder.
Aleema Khan said the PTI founder remained imprisoned because of his stance on judicial independence and the rule of law. She maintained that an independent judiciary was essential for protecting citizens’ rights.
Referring to the November 26 protest, she alleged that force had been used against unarmed demonstrators and said legal proceedings were now being pursued against those who had suffered as a result.
The PTI leader also spoke about Kashmir, saying the dispute remained subject to United Nations resolutions that recognise the right of Kashmiris to determine their future. She reiterated support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and accused India of resisting a plebiscite in the region.
Commenting on domestic politics, Aleema Khan said Pakistan needed national unity and called for the PTI founder to be granted access to meetings and other rights available under the law.
She also referred to discussions surrounding the federal budget and inter-provincial financial matters, claiming that PTI leaders had sought a meeting with the party founder before budget-related decisions were made.
The case against Aleema Khan is linked to the PTI protest held on November 26, with prosecutors alleging that her actions contributed to unrest associated with the demonstration. The proceedings are continuing before the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi.
