An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) extended the pre-arrest bails of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, along with former federal minister Asad Umar, until October 31.
The case pertains to charges filed against them for allegedly inciting lawlessness, creating chaos, causing anarchy, and attacking Jinnah House in response to Imran Khan's arrest.
During the proceedings, the judge noted the absence of any police records presented before the court.
In response, the petitioner's counsel questioned the progress in the case since their clients had joined the investigation.
The law officer informed the court that the Investigation Officer (IO) had suffered a cardiac arrest, leading to the postponement of further arguments to the next hearing.
In previous proceedings, the Punjab police had requested the arrest of Imran Khan's sisters and Asad Umar, citing the Joint Investigation Team's (JIT) findings that declared the three accused guilty.
The police maintained that these arrests were essential for an in-depth investigation.
The counsel for the accused, advocate Burhan Moazzam Malik, argued that Imran Khan's sisters had not been nominated in the First Information Report (FIR) and requested access to the statements on which their clients were declared guilty.
The IO of the case responded that statements recorded under section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) could be presented.
The ATC Judge subsequently scheduled further arguments on the pre-arrest bails for October 16.
Aleema Khan addressed the court during the proceedings, seeking justice and emphasizing their willingness to adhere to judicial proceedings. Her counsel, Moazzam Malik, intervened to conclude her statement.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2023.
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