Aleema appears before ATC, non-bailable arrest warrants withdrawn

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khanum, sister of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday in a case related to the party’s November 26 protest, leading to the withdrawal of her non-bailable arrest warrants.

During the hearing, she requested the court to reactivate and unfreeze her personal bank accounts. The court issued notices for the next hearing on the matter, scheduled for November 26, 2025.

The hearing was adjourned after Aleema’s defence counsel committed to submitting new surety bonds and appearing before the court on the rescheduled date.

Prosecutor Zaheer Shah told the court that Aleema Khan had been absent for 15 of the 18 hearings held since September, which led to the issuance of arrest warrants on 13 occasions.

He further noted that Aleema had not challenged any part of the investigation or judicial proceedings, indicating her satisfaction with the process.

The prosecutor also pointed out that Aleema’s previous surety bond of Rs100,000 had been forfeited, technically placing her under arrest until new bonds were provided.

In response, Aleema’s lawyer assured the court that two new surety bonds, each worth Rs1 million, would be submitted by the next hearing.

The counsel for Aleema also requested the next hearing be scheduled on a Wednesday for convenience.

The prosecutor agreed to any suitable date, provided that Aleema Khan personally attends the proceedings. Aleema signed a statement confirming her attendance, and her lawyer submitted a signed undertaking to address the court’s jurisdiction under Section 23.

In addition, the defence filed a motion seeking the de-freezing of Aleema’s personal bank accounts as well as those of NAMAL University, Mianwali, a charitable organization.

The prosecutor opposed immediate relief and asked the court to issue notices for further arguments, highlighting that the freezing of the accounts was linked to Aleema’s repeated failure to appear before the court, which had also impacted related charity institutions. The court agreed to issue notices on the application.

The case, registered at Sadiqabad Police Station in Rawalpindi under anti-terrorism laws, relates to alleged violations during the PTI-led protest in November 26, 2024.

The hearing was adjourned until November 26.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025