Rawalpindi: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi, on Monday, directed the police to arrest former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan. She is to be presented before the court on Wednesday in cases linked to the protest held by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on November 26, 2024.
According to reports in Pakistan-based Geo News, ATC judge Amjad Ali Shah issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema after her continued absence from court proceedings. The judge’s decision comes after the court indicted 10 accused, including Aleema.
During Monday’s hearing, 10 other accused were present before the court, while five prosecution witnesses recorded their statements. The court has also issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema’s guarantor, Umer Sharif. The court further directed the Pindi deputy commissioner to verify the property documents given by Aleema’s guarantor.
The November protest held was aimed at putting pressure on the Pakistan government to release PTI founder Imran Khan. He has been in prison since August 2023 after being charged with corruption and terrorism.
The three-day PTI protests ended after clashes erupted between law enforcement personnel and the protesters, which led to the death of at least three Pakistan Rangers personnel and a police officer.
In September this year, the PTI condemned the lodging of another FIR against Imran Khan’s sister Aleema, which also implicates another leader, Naeem Haider Panjutha and several others.
In a statement released by the PTI central media department, the party spokesperson said that FIR was initially lodged under sections 506, 147, 149, 382, and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The party called it a “shocking abuse of law”, insisting that terrorism clauses were later included overnight, Pakistani daily ‘Dawn’ reported on Thursday.
“When our people appeared before ordinary courts in the morning, they were forcibly dragged before an Anti-Terrorism Court – a glaring testament to political victimisation and manipulation of the justice system,” the statement said.
The party has further stated that the Punjab Police and the provincial government had effectively become a printing press for ‘fake’ FIRs, especially targeting members of Imran Khan’s family.
The PTI said that Aleema was being targeted only for supporting her brother, Imran Khan, and for sharing his message for the nation. The party spokesperson called her a dignified and courageous woman and reaffirmed the party’s firm support for her.
