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RAWALPINDI, Feb 02 (APP): The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi has rejected the exemption from appearance request of Aleema Khanum (sister of former PTI Chairman) in the case registered at Sadiqabad Police Station regarding the PTI protest on 26 November.
The court has once again issued non-bailable arrest warrants for her due to her repeated failure to appear before the court.
The court directed SP Rawal Division to arrest the accused and produce her before the court Tuesday.
The court remarked that as long as the accused does not appear before the court, her bank accounts and CNIC will remain blocked.
The court also issued notices to both of Aleema Khan’s sureties.
Meanwhile, regarding the application filed for the medical examination of the former Chairman PTI, the court sought a report from the Superintendent of Adyala Jail and adjourned the hearing until Tuesday
During the hearing of the case, she once again failed to appear before the court. Her counsel Faisal Malik and Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah were present in court, along with other accused persons and prosecution witnesses.
Aleema Khanum’s lawyer filed an application for exemption from personal appearance, arguing that she would not appear in court until her bank accounts and CNIC are restored.
The prosecution strongly objected saying the accused cannot dictate terms to the court, nor can she hijack the proceedings.
The prosecution further argued that the court has already ordered daily trial of the case, but from the very first day the conduct of the accused has been irresponsible. If she is not appearing in court, how can her CNIC or bank accounts be restored?.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the exemption application and issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Aleema Khanum. It directed SP Rawal to arrest her and produce her before the court on Tuesday.
The court once again observed that until the accused appears before the court, her bank accounts and CNIC will remain blocked.
It is worth mentioning that in this case, cross-examination of 10 prosecution witnesses has already been completed, while the court had summoned more witnesses for cross-examination.
During the hearing of the application seeking permission for founder chairman’s personal doctors to examine him inside Adiala Jail, his counsel argued that both the family and the party are concerned about his health, and therefore his personal physicians should be allowed to conduct his medical check-up.
The court sought a report from the Superintendent of Adyala Jail regarding this matter and adjourned the hearing till Tuesday.