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RAWALPINDI, Nov 20 (APP):Aleema Khanum, sister of PTI founder, finally appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi on Thursday in a case related to the November 26, protest, leading to the withdrawal of her non-bailable arrest warrants.
She requested the court for reactivation and de-freezing of her bank accounts for which notices were issued by the court for the next hearing.
The court adjourned the hearing until November 26, 2025 (Wednesday), after the defence counsel committed to submitting fresh surety bonds and appearing in the court.
During the proceedings, the prosecutor Zaheer Shah highlighted that out of 18 hearings held since September, the accused remained absent on 15 occasions, resulting in issuance of arrest warrants for 13 times. The prosecutor emphasized that she had not challenged any court order or the investigation process at any level, be it police station, district, divisional, or province level which indicated her satisfaction with the ongoing judicial and investigative proceedings.
The prosecutor further said her previous surety bond of Rs.100,000 had been forfeited, rendering her technically under arrest until fresh bonds are furnished, to which the defence counsel assured the court that two new surety bonds of Rs1 million each would be submitted by the next hearing, and sought a copy of the relevant court order.
Aleema Khan’s counsel requested the next hearing be fixed on a Wednesday for their convenience, to which the prosecutor responded that any suitable date could be granted provided she personally undertakes to appear.
Accordingly, Aleema submitted a signed statement confirming her attendance on the next date, while her lawyer also submitted a signed undertaking to argue on the subject of the court’s jurisdiction under Section 23.
Additionally, the defence filed an application seeking de-freezing of Aleema Khan’s personal bank accounts as well as those of Numle. The prosecutor opposed immediate relief, requesting notices be issued for arguments, and warned that the accounts freezing was a direct consequence of her persistent non-appearance, impacting associated charity institutions. The court issued notices on the application.
The case, registered at Sadiqabad Police Station under anti-terrorism laws, is linked with alleged violations during the PTI’s protest last year. The hearing was adjourned till November 26.