Court approves prosecution’s request to seize Rs 2 million from defendant’s bail
Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court issued a contempt notice for non-payment of Rs80,000 fine. The court also issued bail warrants against Aleema Khan in view of her late appearance in court on Thursday.
The court approved the prosecution’s application to seize Rs 2 million from the defendant’s bail and notified her sureties for recovery of the amount.
The case heard by the ATC is registered at Sadiqabad police station regarding the D-Chowk protest on November 26, which includes charges of protesting against the government, chanting anti-government slogans, vandalism and stone pelting.
Although Aleema and her lawyers did not show up at the scheduled time, they showed up with their legal team after the adjournment. The court noted that the case was called twice, but the accused failed to appear.
Aleema requested permission to speak, saying she had already made a statement to the media regarding the founder’s peaceful protest and questioned the need for witnesses.
Prosecutor Syed Zaheer Shah immediately requested that his statement be recorded, noting that as the accused was making confessions in court, the case should be considered closed.
Read: Water cannons interrupt Aleema Khan’s sit-in at Adiala prison
During the proceedings, defense lawyer Faisal Malik objected to the recording of Aleema Khan’s statement. Malik asked the court not to include the statement in the record.
The prosecutor countered, asking why this should not be recorded. Aleema Khan remarked that she should be allowed to speak, questioning the delay if authorities intended to imprison her.
Prosecutor Zaheer Shah told the court that the verdict had already been delivered and a rehearing had no legal basis, but suggested recording witness statements as a compromise.
The court ruled that there was no legal justification for a rehearing in the same court and upheld its existing orders.
Subsequently, the defense filed an application for registration and the court issued a notice to the prosecution. Justice Amjad Ali Shah adjourned the next hearing to December 15.
Media chat
Aleema Khan said they would “not be intimidated by water cannons” and insisted her supporters “would not abandon their leader”.
Aleema was referring to Wednesday morning, when police used a water cannon to disperse a sit-in she led outside Adiala Prison after authorities refused permission to meet incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
She claimed that Bushra Bibi was only allowed a 40-minute visit in two months, while she herself only had an hour to meet the PTI founder. She criticized those who questioned why the women were leaving the prison at 2 a.m., saying they were “peacefully demanding their rights.”
Learn more: Negotiations underway as PTI sit-in continues outside Adiala jail
She alleged that “a few influential groups” controlled industries related to minerals, sugar and wheat, and that they could “import or export at will”, while the public remained “their subjects”.
She claimed that the PTI founder had been placed in solitary confinement and often told his supporters that “if you remain submissive today, your future generations will be the same.”
Referring to remarks made on television predicting a five-year sentence against him, she said the Constitution guaranteed her right to freedom of expression. Aleema added that if force was used against them, they would “embrace martyrdom”, saying they were “no longer afraid”.
She said those who were “betraying Pakistan” were those who called PTI supporters traitors, which she described as “a badge of honour”. Further stating that Imran “strongly stood for the truth” and his stance had “uplifted Pakistan’s standing in the international arena”.
Also read: PTI says Imran ‘not a security threat’
D-Chowk Protest
On November 13, 2023, Imran 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”.
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.
