Court also issues show cause notice to SP Rawal for not arresting her despite clear orders
Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founding president Imran Khan. Photo: Express/Archive
RAWALPINDI:
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday reissued non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan, sister of jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, in connection with the November 26 protest case.
The court also issued a show-cause notice to Superintendent of Police (SP) Rawal for not executing the non-bailable arrest warrants against Aleema Khan.
He directed SP Rawal to appear on Wednesday and explain why Aleema Khan was not arrested and produced before the court, despite clear orders.
The court further ordered that Aleema Khan be arrested and produced before it on Wednesday, February 4, without fail, after rejecting her application for exemption from appearance.
The case is registered at Sadiqabad Police Station and relates to a protest held at D-Chowk in Islamabad on November 24, 2024.
The proceedings stem from non-compliance with earlier court orders relating to the arrest of Aleema Khan in the case.
Non-bailable arrest warrants were also issued for his two guarantors, and the court ordered authorities to arrest and produce them as well.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing.
Read: ATC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema
D-Chowk protest
On November 13, 2024, Imran Khan made a “final call” for nationwide protests on November 24, demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party members, and the revocation of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed had strengthened a “dictatorial regime.”
The protest took place at D-Chowk in Islamabad, where supporters from different provinces traveled to heed Khan’s call.
The State rejected any possibility of negotiation and an operation was carried out against the protesters, causing the PTI leadership to flee the scene. The protest ended with the operation on November 26.
Also read: ATC rejects pre-arrest bail for three PTI MNAs
Charged cases
A case of vandalism and rioting was lodged at the Sadiqabad police station, in which Aleema Khan is named as an accused and was out on bail before her arrest.
Hearings on the pre-arrest bail petitions filed by three PTI members – Asif Khan, Sajid Khan Mohammad and another – in the November 26 D-Chowk protest case were held on September 16 at the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad.
All three bail applications were rejected by Justice Tahir Abbas Supra because the petitioners had not appeared in court.
Similarly, protest-related cases were also registered at Civil Lines Police Station, Taxila Police Station and Waris Khan Police Station. A total of 29 cases have been filed in Rawalpindi district related to the D-Chowk protest. Imran Khan has been charged with seven, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, has been charged with all 29.
