A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has escalated legal proceedings against Aleema Khan, the sister of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, by issuing non-bailable arrest warrants in connection with a significant protest held in Islamabad during November 2024.
Court Takes Strict Action Against Absence
According to reports from Pakistani media cited by news agency PTI, the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi took this decisive step after Aleema Khan failed to appear before the judicial body despite clear prior directions. The court's firm stance extended beyond the primary accused, as it also issued non-bailable arrest warrants against her two guarantors, ordering authorities to arrest all three individuals and produce them before the court on Wednesday without exception.
The court demonstrated no leniency by rejecting Aleema Khan's application seeking exemption from personal appearance, signaling a strict approach to ensuring compliance with judicial proceedings.
Details of the Protest Case
The legal case, officially registered at Sadiqabad Police Station, centers around a protest that unfolded at D-Chowk in Islamabad on November 24, 2024. The charges leveled against the accused are substantial, including allegations of protesting against the government, chanting anti-government slogans, engaging in vandalism, and participating in stone-pelting incidents. The hearing was conducted by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah, who oversaw the proceedings with judicial authority.
Accountability for Law Enforcement
In a notable development highlighting accountability within the justice system, the court issued a show-cause notice to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rawal for failing to execute previously issued arrest warrants. The SP has been directed to appear before the court on Wednesday to provide a detailed explanation regarding why Aleema Khan was not arrested and presented despite clear judicial orders, as reported by the Pakistani news website Express Tribune.
Defense Arguments and Judicial Response
During Monday's hearing, Aleema Khan's defense counsel presented arguments seeking a one-day exemption from appearance, citing significant difficulties in travel and daily affairs. The defense claimed these challenges arose after her bank accounts, Computerised National Identity Card, and passport were reportedly blocked by authorities.
However, the court maintained its uncompromising position and did not accept this plea, continuing with the scheduled proceedings and issuing the arrest warrants as planned.
Pattern of Non-Appearance and Legal Escalation
The current legal developments follow a pattern where Aleema Khan had previously skipped multiple hearings in this case. She only appeared before the court after judicial authorities issued property seizure orders and several arrest warrants, indicating a history of non-compliance that has now culminated in the current strict measures.
Aleema Khan is among those formally nominated as accused in protest-related cases filed following the November demonstrations, placing her at the center of legal scrutiny surrounding these events.
Background of the November 2024 Protests
The protests that form the basis of these legal proceedings followed what was described as Imran Khan's "final call" for nationwide demonstrations. The demands articulated during these protests included:
- Restoration of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) electoral mandate
- Release of party leaders from detention
- Reversal of constitutional changes implemented by the current administration
The D-Chowk protest concluded on November 26, 2024, following a security operation by authorities. In the aftermath, multiple cases were registered across Rawalpindi district, with a total of 29 cases linked to the protest filed in the district alone.
The legal net has cast wide, with Imran Khan named as an accused in several of these cases, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, faces charges in all 29 cases, indicating the comprehensive nature of legal actions taken against the political family and their associates.
