Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, has said that the government told Barrister Gohar that if last months protest was held in Sangjani, the party's jailed leader would be released.
Speaking at the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore, Aleema Khan said that the government had become fearful as protests began and reached out to Barrister Gohar, asking him to intervene, promising to secure Imran Khan's release, Express News reported.
During her appearance at the court, Aleema Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the prolonged legal proceedings, stating that her family had been attending court hearings for over a year without any resolution.
She criticised the repeated changes in judges and police officers' absence from court, which had delayed the confirmation of bail applications.
Aleema Khan also raised concerns about her involvement in cases, claiming that she was named in multiple cases while imprisoned.
She questioned how they had been nominated in the cases and noted that the investigative officer claimed she had incited party workers.
In a media interaction after the court session, Aleema Khan mentioned that while the cases related to the May 9 incidents were still pending, there had been no substantial evidence provided by the prosecution.
She expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the trials and emphasised the need for the May 9 case to be expedited.
PTI leader Salman Akram Raja also commented on the ongoing political situation, stating that the political process should continue without obstruction.
He expressed hope that the country would move toward prosperity, and assured that the necessary steps would be taken to ensure peace.
The court extended the bail for Aleema Khan and other family members until January 18 and asked the police to submit a report on the investigations.
Earlier on Friday, Aleema Khan called for the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), led by Supreme Court judges, to investigate the incidents of May 9 and November 26, while demanding the immediate release of all detainees.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Aleema warned that if her demands were not met by Friday, a campaign of civil disobedience would be launched, which would include urging overseas Pakistanis to stop sending remittances.
She accused the state of employing "terror tactics" over the past two and a half years, and claimed that the May 9 riots were orchestrated by certain groups. She further alleged that these elements stole CCTV footage to cover up their actions, used snipers to kill 16 people, and subjected women to severe mistreatment.
"A system based on tyranny cannot endure," she said. "Even a system built on disbelief can survive, but not one built on injustice."
Aleema also expressed sorrow over the "destruction of democracy," emphasizing that democracy rests on three pillars: the judiciary, the legislature, and the media. "All three have been dismantled," she added.
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