After months of legal turmoil involving 11 non-bailable arrest warrants, frozen bank accounts, blocked identification documents, and threats of property seizure, Aleema Khan finally appeared before the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court on Thursday for a scheduled hearing.
Her appearance marked a significant development in a case that has dragged on for over a year, stemming from her alleged participation in the November 26, 2023 D-Chowk protest in Islamabad.
The Background of Continuous Absence
Aleema Khan, sister of imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, had been conspicuously absent from court proceedings for more than a month after charges were formally framed against her. According to government prosecutor Zaheer Shah, she failed to appear for 11 consecutive hearings without submitting any exemption requests.
The prosecution raised strong objections during Thursday’s hearing, highlighting that 13 non-bailable warrants had been issued against the accused, yet she consistently failed to appear despite acknowledging receipt of these warrants. The prosecutor alleged deliberate abuse of the bail system and intentional flouting of legal procedures.
Legal Consequences of Non-Appearance
The court’s frustration with Aleema Khan’s continued absence resulted in unprecedented measures. On October 24, the Anti-Terrorism Court issued multiple orders designed to compel her appearance:
Blocked CNIC: The Director General of NADRA received instructions to block her national identity card, effectively restricting her ability to conduct official transactions.
Passport Blockage: The Director General of Passports was ordered to block her travel documents, preventing international movement.
Frozen Bank Accounts: The Governor of the State Bank received directives to freeze all her financial accounts, creating significant restrictions on her economic activities.
Property Seizure Threats: Procedures were initiated to seize her properties located in Punjab and Islamabad in favor of the government.
Defense Arguments and Court Exchange
Defense counsel Faisal Malik argued that Aleema Khan faces approximately 200 cases across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, making attendance at every hearing physically impossible. He emphasized that she frequently follows up on cases involving her brother, nephews, and sisters, complicating her scheduling further.
During proceedings, there were heated exchanges between the defense and prosecution regarding the failure to submit new bail bonds. Malik assured the court that judicial order copies would be provided and new bonds could be submitted immediately.
In a moment that drew wry commentary from the bench, defense counsel Tabish Farooq recited verses by revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, prompting the court to observe that PTI lawyers appeared “well-versed in Faiz’s poetry.”
The Prosecution’s Position
Government counsel maintained that Aleema Khan had not challenged any trial proceedings or investigation in any forum despite her apparent dissatisfaction. The prosecutor emphasized that the case had been ongoing for a full year, with delays “solely attributable to her irresponsible conduct.”
The prosecution urged both Aleema Khan and her legal team to prove her innocence in court rather than through media statements. They particularly highlighted that on October 15, her counsel had challenged the court’s jurisdiction and emphasized this issue publicly while failing to appear before the bench.
Court Relief and Next Steps
Despite the strong prosecutorial objections, the court granted significant relief to Aleema Khan following her appearance:
Warrant Cancellation: All 11 outstanding non-bailable arrest warrants were cancelled.
Bank Account Restoration: The court approved a hearing on her petition to restore 15 frozen bank accounts.
Property Seizure Halt: The process to seize her properties in Punjab and Islamabad has been temporarily halted, though a stay was maintained in favor of the government.
Challenge to Terrorism Clause: The court approved a hearing on her request to remove anti-terrorism provisions under Section 7 ATA from her case, which she argues are unlawfully applicable.
The November 26 D-Chowk Protest
The charges against Aleema Khan stem from the November 26, 2023 protests at D-Chowk in Islamabad. Following a “final call” from Imran Khan on November 13, thousands of PTI supporters traveled from different provinces to demand restoration of the party’s electoral mandate, release of imprisoned members, and reversal of the 26th Amendment.
The case registered at Sadiqabad Police Station includes charges of protesting against the government, chanting anti-government slogans, vandalism, and stone-pelting. The protest ended when state authorities conducted an operation on November 26, prompting PTI leadership to disperse.
Recent Detention Outside Adiala Jail
Just days before her court appearance, Aleema Khan was involved in another high-profile incident. On Tuesday night, she and her sisters Dr. Uzma and Noreen were taken into custody by Rawalpindi police after staging a 10-hour sit-in outside Adiala Jail.
The protest occurred after the PTI founder and his family members were denied their scheduled visit to meet him. PTI claimed that police violently detained the sisters while they were sitting peacefully, along with provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi, MNA Shahid Khattak, and other party workers.
The sisters were transferred to Chakri and later released, returning home around midnight after authorities dispersed the protest.
Court Instructions and Future Proceedings
The presiding judge instructed Aleema Khan to attend all future hearings punctually and cautioned her to exercise greater care in complying with court orders. She assured the court that she would maintain regular attendance going forward.
The next hearing has been scheduled for November 26, where five witnesses are expected to provide testimony. The court has also requested arguments from both sides regarding two pending applications: one challenging the court’s jurisdiction and another requesting the unfreezing of accounts.
Political Context and Implications
This case represents one of many legal challenges facing PTI leadership and family members following the events of November 2023. The party has consistently maintained that these cases constitute political persecution designed to suppress opposition voices.
The government, meanwhile, insists that all legal proceedings are conducted according to established law and that no one is above judicial accountability. The use of anti-terrorism provisions in protest-related cases has drawn criticism from legal experts and civil society organizations who question their appropriateness.
Looking Ahead
The high-profile nature of this case, combined with the involvement of Imran Khan’s family, ensures continued public attention. How the court ultimately rules on the applicability of terrorism charges and the restoration of financial accounts will set important precedents for similar cases involving political activists.
For now, Aleema Khan’s appearance has temporarily resolved the immediate crisis of arrest warrants and provided some breathing room regarding her frozen assets. However, the substantive legal battle over her alleged participation in the November protests remains unresolved.
The November 26 hearing will be crucial in determining the trajectory of this case, as witness testimony begins and legal arguments are presented regarding jurisdiction and the appropriateness of anti-terrorism charges in protest-related cases.