RAWALPINDI – An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday once again issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, after she failed to appear in court during the hearing of the November 26 protest case.
This marks the fourth time the court has issued warrants against Aleema Khan in connection with the case, which stems from last year’s protest led by PTI despite restrictions on public gatherings.
The protest, attended by over 10,000 PTI supporters marching toward Islamabad, saw clashes with law enforcement personnel deployed to maintain order. The next day, the PTI leadership abruptly announced the postponement of the sit-in. Subsequently, multiple cases were registered under the Pakistan Penal Code and anti-terrorism provisions at various police stations, including Taxila, Sadiqabad, and Naseerabad.
During Wednesday’s hearing, 10 out of 11 accused appeared before the court, while Aleema Khan remained absent. The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants once again and expressed displeasure over what it described as a “false report” submitted by the police, which claimed that Aleema was in hiding.
The judge remarked that the claim was contradictory, as Aleema Khan had been seen on social media and in Adiala Jail recently. The court also issued show-cause notices to SP (Rawal Division) Saad Arshad and DSP Naeem for misleading the court and summoned them in person on the next hearing.
The court ordered the confiscation of her surety bonds and directed her guarantor to submit fresh sureties worth Rs 1 million. Additionally, the bonds of four vehicle guarantors were also forfeited.
The hearing has been adjourned till November 24, with clear instructions for Aleema Khan’s arrest and appearance before the court.
