ATC Orders Confiscation of Aleema Khan’s CNIC and Passport Over Persistent Absences
Court Takes Action After Aleema Khan Skips Hearings in PTI Protest Case
RAWALPINDI: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Friday ordered the confiscation of Aleema Khan’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport after she repeatedly failed to attend court hearings in the case concerning the November 26 PTI protest.
The order was issued by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah during a hearing related to the FIRs registered against Aleema Khan and others, who were implicated in the violent PTI protest. Despite several summons, Aleema, the sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, had not appeared in court, prompting the judge to take strict action.
Court Issues Warrant for Continued Absence
The ruling follows the issuance of a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan for the fourth time. This latest development comes after her continued absence from the court proceedings, which involved charges stemming from the PTI’s defiant protest in Islamabad on November 26 last year. PTI supporters, led by Khan, entered the capital in violation of a ban on public gatherings and clashed with law enforcement agencies near D-Chowk, resulting in police using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The protest, which was aimed at pressuring the government to release PTI leader Imran Khan, ended after fierce clashes between law enforcement and protesters. Imran Khan, who was jailed in August 2023, has been facing multiple charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his ousting through a no-confidence vote in 2022.
Aleema Khan Evades Court Despite Public Activity
In Friday’s hearing, Judge Amjad remarked that while Aleema Khan remained active in public, she persistently evaded legal proceedings. He directed the authorities to freeze her bank accounts and ordered the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) as well as the Directorate of Immigration and Passports to implement the confiscation orders.
Additionally, the court ordered the confiscation of property belonging to Aleema’s guarantor, Umar Sharif, as part of its ongoing enforcement actions. Despite the seriousness of the orders, no lawyer represented Aleema Khan during the hearing.
Court Adjourns Hearing, Sets Date for Next Session
The ATC adjourned the hearing until October 27, giving time for further legal proceedings. Special prosecutor Zaheer Shah and 10 other accused individuals appeared before the court during the session.
Bail Extended in Separate Case
In another case in Lahore, the ATC extended the interim bail of Aleema Khan and her associate Uzma Khan until December 5. This case relates to an alleged attack on police officers during a PTI protest held on October 5. Aleema Khan appeared in person, while Uzma Khan sought exemption from personal appearance.
The Lahore court instructed the prosecution to complete its arguments regarding the bail pleas by the next hearing.
Legal Consequences of Continued Absence
The ongoing legal battles for Aleema Khan reflect the increasing pressure on PTI leaders and their associates as they face a series of cases following the party’s protests. With the ATC now taking strong actions against Aleema Khan, including confiscating her personal identification documents and freezing her assets, it remains to be seen how these measures will affect her participation in future legal proceedings.
