- Judge orders NADRA, Passports DG to block her ID and travel documents, SBP to freeze bank accounts immediately
- Guarantor’s property forfeited in case linked to PTI’s November 26 protest that saw violent clashes in Islamabad
RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Friday ordered authorities to block the national identity card (CNIC) and passport of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, after she failed to appear before the court despite the execution of a non-bailable arrest warrant against her.
The directive came during the hearing of a case stemming from the November 26 protest staged by the PTI last year, for which Aleema has repeatedly skipped court appearances despite multiple summons and arrest warrants.
During Friday’s proceedings, ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah expressed displeasure over her continued absence, remarking that Aleema “is present everywhere but doesn’t appear before the court.” He maintained that her attendance must now be ensured without further delay.
The court subsequently directed the director generals of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports to block Aleema’s CNIC and passport, restricting her mobility until she complies with the court’s orders.
In addition, the ATC ordered the forfeiture of the properties pledged by her guarantor to the state and instructed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to freeze all of Aleema Khan’s bank accounts. The court then adjourned the hearing until October 27.
The order followed the formal execution of Aleema’s latest non-bailable arrest warrant, which had been issued on October 22 over her continued non-compliance. The warrant was executed a day earlier when Punjab Sub-Divisional Police Officer Azhar Shah presented it before an Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench and obtained Aleema’s signature on the spot.
Case background
The case, widely known as the “November 26 protest case,” stems from a large-scale PTI demonstration held last year that drew more than 10,000 protesters into Islamabad, defying a ban on public gatherings. The protest led to clashes with around 20,000 law enforcement personnel deployed to block the march into the Red Zone.
The day-long standoff ended with the PTI leadership announcing the temporary suspension of its planned sit-in following violent skirmishes. In the aftermath, authorities registered multiple cases against party leaders under various provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
Two cases were filed at the Taxila police station, while one each was registered at the Sadiqabad and Naseerabad police stations. Aleema, along with 10 others, was nominated in the case lodged at Sadiqabad police station.
The ATC has since issued at least four arrest warrants for Aleema Khan in connection with the case. The court previously issued non-bailable warrants on October 14 and 20, rejecting her counsel’s plea for exemption from personal appearance. It observed that Aleema was to be indicted on criminal charges related to the November protest.
During the October 22 hearing, the court had also issued show-cause notices to two police officers for filing a “fabricated and misleading report” claiming that Aleema had gone into hiding. The judge pointed out that videos circulating on social media showed her speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail the same evening.
With her continued absence drawing judicial ire, the ATC has now escalated measures to compel Aleema’s attendance—freezing her assets, restricting travel, and giving authorities a week to enforce compliance.
