ATC fines her Rs 10,000 for allegedly obstructing recording of witness statements in case filed against her
Aleema Khan was briefly remanded in police custody and barred from leaving the Rawalpindi court premises on Wednesday until the hearing adjourned.
The anti-terrorism court presided over the hearing in a case related to the November 26 protest involving Aleema Khan and 11 other accused persons. The case was registered at Sadiqabad police station. The court ordered that Aleema Khan be remanded to temporary police custody. “My lawyer is busy at the Supreme Court; please allow me to leave,” Aleema pleaded in court.
Prosecutor Zaheer Shah said that under Section 351 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the accused must remain in judicial custody. He added that even though the accused is out on bail, she cannot go out without the permission of the court.
When Aleema attempted to leave the courtroom, female police officers arrested her and brought her back into the courtroom. The court ordered the accused not to leave the court premises.
Aleema Khan’s lawyer Faisal Malik also arrived at the court. Police officers took her back to the courtroom. When Aleema returned to the courtroom, she was visibly upset. The court ordered him to remain in the courtroom until the end of the hearing.
Aleema Khan was fined Rs 10,000 by the court for allegedly obstructing the recording of statements of witnesses in a case filed against her. The fine was imposed after the prosecution objected to the attempt to delay the recording of witness statements.
The hearing of the case was adjourned to December 1. Aleema Khan, along with all other accused, were allowed to leave the court until the next hearing. However, she was summoned to court on December 1.
Aleema Khan’s lawyer was granted an extension upon written request, noting that their witnesses had attended previous hearings and were now ready to give their statements.
At the next hearing, arguments will be heard regarding his request to restore his bank accounts. The court will also hear arguments on his request to expunge Section 7 ATA terrorism charges related to the case. Five government witnesses were also called for Monday’s proceedings.
The hearings were marred by controversy. Aleema Khan was absent during numerous hearings, leading the court to issue threats of seizure of property and issue 11 arrest warrants. The ATC had also asked to block his National Identity Card (NIC) and passport. She finally appeared in court for her hearing on November 20.
Media discussion
Aleema Khan was surrounded by police as she emerged from the ATC to speak to the media, even though under the law she could not have been taken into custody. “The court has not passed any order directing her detention,” officials said, adding that the issue of Aleema Khan’s custody would be taken up in the next hearing.
Aleema Khan explained that she went to the Supreme Court and requested time from the court, which led to a long discussion with the prosecution. She pointed out that when the prosecution itself requests time from the court, no problems usually arise.
Regarding the frozen accounts of Shaukat Khanum and Namal, Aleema Khan said that she had approached the court regarding the matter. She said: “I have requested that my accounts be frozen. Freezing the accounts of Namal and others affects the children’s future.”
Aleema Khan told reporters that when she returned to the court after speaking to the media, the door was locked from outside.
She added, “I was not found guilty in the Shaukat Khanum and Namal cases, so how can the accounts be frozen? Even an ordinary police officer does not follow court orders. The judge himself clarified that the accounts were not frozen. He said that both accounts should be reopened. This is not something the judge does arbitrarily.”
Aleema Khan further pointed out that she had only one account and one ID card, and that she would hold accountable those at the State Bank responsible for freezing her account.
D-Chowk Protest
On November 13, 2023, Imran Khan made a “final call” for nationwide protests on November 24, demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of imprisoned party members and the repeal of the 26th Amendment, which he said had strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.
Also read: TTAP alongside Imran’s sisters after Adiala episode
The protest took place at D-Chowk, Islamabad, where supporters came from different provinces to respond to Khan’s call.
The state rejected any possibility of negotiation and an operation was carried out against the protesters, prompting the PTI leadership to flee the scene. The demonstration ended with the operation on November 26.
A notice was also sent to her surety, summoning them to appear before the court, and the court also canceled Aleema Khan’s bail bonds.
