Aleema seeks acquittal in a terrorism case

RAWALPINDI: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday issued notices to the prosecution and defence on a petition filed by Aleema Khan, sister of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, seeking acquittal in a terrorism case related to the November 26 protest.

Aleema Khan, through her counsel Faisal Malik, filed the petition under Section 265-K of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah, seeking acquittal in the case registered against her and others at Sadiqabad Police Station. The court directed both sides to present arguments at the next hearing.

During the proceedings, the court recorded statements of five prosecution witnesses, including Noor Ahmed from the Press Information Department (PID), Nadir Khan from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Muhammad Saftain from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Rawalpindi police Inspector Yaqub Shah, and Additional Superintendent of Jail Ali Ameer Shah.

Defence counsel requested the court to adjourn the hearing until after the winter vacations. During the hearing, Aleema Khan informed the judge that we have submitted 11 books to the court for sending to jailed Imran Khan. ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah replied that the books had been delivered to the PTI founder and that a report confirming their receipt had also been received. Aleema Khan thanked the judge for facilitating the delivery of the books.

Talking to the media, advocate Faisal Malik said there was no substantive material in the November 26 case against Aleema Khan. He confirmed that an application seeking her acquittal had been filed. He expressed concern that despite the defence’s request, witness statements were recorded, and termed the cases against AleemaKhan as politically motivated.

Aleema Khan said that Imran Khan had sent a message to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leadership regarding the anticipated street movement. She stated she was unaware of any announcement by the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) regarding the conference.

Responding to a question, she said she was not aware of the people about whom you are talking, but said that those calling for talks would not be part of Khan’s party. She stated that the party leaders advocating dialogue were not true associates of Khan.

She further questioned why Khan was calling for a street movement if talks were an option. Noting that Khan has recently been handed a 17-year sentence, she asked, “Who would you hold talks with?”

She said that Khan had called for a peaceful protest on November 22 last year. Khan’s sister said that the allegation against her was that she conveyed the founder’s message to the public. She criticized the practice of presenting police officials as witnesses against them and said that those giving false testimony should also be held accountable.

Aleema Khan remarked that justice had ended in Pakistan, though she acknowledged that there were good judges in the judiciary whose voices were not being heard. She said that Khan had always stood for the rule of law, but judges who spoke about the rule of law were allegedly pressured.

She further said that the PTI founding chairman had conveyed a message recently, stating he was prepared to accept martyrdom for the nation. She noted that he had been in jail for the past two and a half years and had consistently said he would face all cases against him, despite receiving offers to leave the country.

Khan’s sister reiterated that she had shared the PTI founder’s message with the media and said media persons would be presented as defence witnesses. She added that 11 books had been sent to the PTI founding chairman, of which nine had reportedly been delivered, according to the court.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025