ATC issues non-bailable warrants for Aleema Khan in PTI protest case

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan, 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 plea seeking exemption from personal appearance, summoned her guarantors and issued notices to them. The case is registered at Sadiqabad Police Station and pertains to a protest held at Islamabad’s D-Chowk following Imran Khan’s “final call” for nationwide demonstrations.

The protest, announced to demand restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, release of detained party leaders and reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, drew supporters from across the country. The government ruled out negotiations and launched an operation against protesters, forcing PTI leaders to disperse. The protest formally ended on November 26.

During Monday’s hearing, defence counsel sought a one-day exemption, arguing that Aleema Khan’s bank accounts, national identity card and passport had been blocked, causing serious difficulties in travel and daily affairs.

ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah ordered the restoration of her frozen personal bank account, blocked CNIC and passport, warning that contempt proceedings could be initiated if the order was not implemented. The court observed that restoration orders had already been issued, but defence counsel maintained they had not been enforced. The judge warned of strict action in case of non-compliance.

However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court dismissed the exemption plea, issued non-bailable arrest warrants and directed the Rawalpindi superintendent of police to arrest Aleema Khan and produce her before the court by Tuesday. The judge ruled that her bank account and identity documents would remain blocked until she appeared before the court.

Earlier, on October 24, the ATC had ordered the NADRA chairman to block her CNIC, the director general of passports to cancel her passport and the State Bank governor to freeze all her bank accounts after repeated non-appearance despite earlier warrants. The court had also ordered confiscation of her guarantor’s property in favour of the state.

Prosecutor Zaheer Ali Shah opposed the exemption request, stating that Aleema Khan had already sought exemptions twice and was employing delaying tactics. “The accused cannot dictate terms to the court,” he argued.

The defence maintained that Aleema Khan would not appear until her accounts and documents were restored, an argument the court rejected.

Prosecution witnesses were present in court. Cross-examination of 10 witnesses has been completed, while three more were summoned for the next hearing. The case was adjourned until Tuesday.

Court takes up medical pleas for Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

The ATC also accepted for hearing applications seeking medical examinations of Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi by their personal doctors, including eye and dental specialists. Notices were issued to the superintendent of Adiala Jail, seeking replies by Tuesday, February 3.

Defence counsel Faisal Mahmood Malik argued that both had a constitutional and legal right to medical treatment by their own physicians under the supervision of Dr Asim Yousaf. He also requested that medical reports related to Imran Khan’s recent eye procedure at PIMS be provided.

On January 29, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Imran Khan had undergone an eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) — his first transfer out of Adiala Jail since his arrest in August 2023.

The defence said jail rules require families to be informed prior to medical procedures, which was not done, raising serious concerns. It added that the family would not accept assessments conducted solely by government-appointed doctors.

PIMS later confirmed the treatment, stating that Imran Khan had reported reduced vision in his right eye. A senior ophthalmologist conducted a detailed examination, including slit-lamp evaluation, fundoscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, laboratory tests and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the retina.