Court orders arrest after rejecting exemption request and keeps bank accounts and documents blocked
Aleema Khanum, the sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PHOTO: FILE
RAWALPINDI:
An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan, the sister of jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, after she failed to appear in a case related to the November 26 protest.
The court rejected Aleema Khan’s application for exemption from appearance, summoned her sureties and issued notices to them. The case is registered at Sadiqabad police station and relates to a protest organized at D-Chowk in Islamabad on November 24, 2024.
The protest followed a “final call” by Imran Khan for nationwide protests demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party leaders and the annulment of the 26th constitutional amendment, which he said had strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.
Supporters from across the country gathered at D-Chowk. The government ruled out any negotiations and launched an operation against the protesters, prompting PTI leaders to flee. The protest ended on November 26.
During the hearing on Monday, the defense lawyer sought a one-day exemption, saying that Aleema Khan’s bank account, CNIC and passport had been blocked, creating difficulties in travel and daily affairs.
Justice Amjad Ali Shah ordered the restoration of his frozen personal bank account, blocked national identity card and passport, warning that contempt proceedings could be initiated if the order was not implemented. The court noted that restoration orders had already been issued, but the defense said they had not been carried out. The judge warned that action would be taken if compliance was not ensured.
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However, after hearing the arguments, the court rejected the exemption plea, issued non-bailable arrest warrants and directed the Rawal Police Commissioner to arrest Aleema Khan and produce her before the court by Tuesday. The judge ruled that his bank account and identity documents would remain blocked until he appeared in court.
On October 24, the ATC had ordered the NADRA chairman to block his CNIC, the Director General of Passport to block his passport and the State Bank governor to freeze all his bank accounts after repeated refusals to appear in court despite previous arrest warrants. The court also ordered the confiscation of his guarantor’s property for the benefit of the State.
Prosecutor Zaheer Ali Shah opposed the exemption request, saying Aleema Khan had already requested exemptions twice and was using delaying tactics. “The accused cannot dictate his conditions to the court,” he said, urging the judge to continue the trial.
The defense argued that Aleema Khan would not appear in court until her accounts and documents were restored. The court rejected this argument.
Prosecution witnesses were present in court. The cross-examination of 10 witnesses has been completed, while three others have been summoned for the next hearing. The case was adjourned until Tuesday.
Medical pleas for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi
The court also agreed to hear applications seeking medical examinations of Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi by their personal doctors, including ophthalmologists and dentists. Notices have been sent to the Adiala Prison Superintendent, seeking his comments by Tuesday, February 3.
Defense lawyer Faisal Mahmood Malik filed the motions, arguing that both had a constitutional and legal right to medical treatment by their own doctors under the supervision of Dr. Asim Yousaf. The court was told that medical reports on eye procedures carried out at PIMS would have to be provided.
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On January 29, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Imran Khan had undergone a medical procedure for an eye disease at PIMS. It was the first time he had been out of Adiala prison since his arrest in August 2023 following convictions in several cases.
The defense said prison rules require families to be informed before medical procedures, but this has not been done, raising concerns. He added that the family would not accept evaluations from government doctors alone.
Amidst the controversy, PIMS confirmed the treatment saying, “In the recent past, Mr. Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi (aged 74) reported reduced vision in his right eye. »
A senior ophthalmologist from PIMS carried out a detailed examination at Adiala Prison, including slit lamp assessment, fundoscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, laboratory tests and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina.
