Aleema briefly taken into judicial custody

ATC fines her Rs10,000 over alleged obstruction in recording witness statements in case filed against her

Aleema Khan was briefly taken into judicial custody and barred from leaving the court premises in Rawalpindi on Wednesday until the court rose.

The anti-terrorism court presided over the hearing in a case related to the November 26 protest involving Aleema Khan and 11 others as accused. The case was registered in the Sadiqabad Police Station. The court directed that Aleema Khan be taken into temporary police custody. “My lawyer is busy in the Supreme Court; please allow me to leave,” Aleema pleaded to the court.

Prosecutor Zaheer Shah stated that under Section 351 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused must remain in judicial custody. He added that even if the accused is on bail, she cannot leave without the court’s permission.

When Aleema attempted to leave the courtroom, female police officers took her into custody and returned her to the courtroom. The court instructed that the accused must not leave the court premises.

Aleema Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, also arrived at the court. Female police officers escorted her back into the courtroom. When Aleema returned to the courtroom, she was visibly distressed. The court ordered her to remain in the courtroom until the hearing concludes.

Aleema Khan was fined Rs10,000 by the court over an alleged obstruction in recording witness statements in a case filed against her. The fine was imposed after the prosecution opposed the attempt to delay recording the witness statements.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned until December 1. Aleema Khan, along with all other accused, was granted permission to leave the court until the next hearing. However, she has been ordered to appear in court on 1 December.

Aleema Khan’s lawyer secured an extension on a written application, noting that their witnesses have been attending previous hearings and are now ready to give their statements.

At the next hearing, arguments will be heard regarding her petition to restore her bank accounts. The court will also hear arguments on her request to remove the terrorism charges under Section 7 ATA related to the case. Five government witnesses have also been summoned for Monday’s proceedings.

The case hearings have been marred by controversy. Aleema Khan had been absent for many of the case hearings, which had led to the court issuing threats of property seizure and 11 arrest warrants. The ATC had also instructed to have her National Identity Card (NIC) and passport blocked. She had finally appeared in court for her hearing on November 20.

Media talk

Aleema Khan was surrounded by police when she stepped outside the ATC to speak to the media, although, under the law, she could not have been taken into custody. “The court has not issued any order for her detention,” said officials, adding that the issue of Aleema Khan’s custody would be addressed in the next hearing.

Aleema Khan explained that she had attended the Supreme Court and requested time from the court, which led to a lengthy discussion with the prosecution. She noted that when the prosecution itself requests time from the court, no issues usually arise.

Regarding frozen accounts of Shaukat Khanum and Namal, Aleema Khan stated that she had approached the court on the matter. She said, “I asked for my accounts to be frozen. Freezing accounts of Namal and others affects children’s future.”

Aleema Khan told reporters that when she returned to the court after speaking to the media, the gate was locked from the outside.

She added, “I have not been found guilty in the Shaukat Khanum and Namal cases, so how can the accounts be frozen? Even a regular police officer is not following the court’s orders. The judge himself clarified that the accounts were not frozen. He has said that both accounts should be reopened. This is not something the judge is arbitrarily doing.”

Aleema Khan further remarked that she has only one account and one ID card, and she would hold accountable those in the State Bank responsible for freezing her account.

D-Chowk Protest

On November 13, 2023, Imran Khan made a “final call” for nationwide protests to be held on November 24, demanding the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of imprisoned party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed had empowered a “dictatorial regime”.

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The protest took place in D-Chowk, Islamabad, where supporters travelled from different provinces to heed Khan’s call.

The state rejected any possibility of negotiation, and an operation was conducted against the protestors, prompting the PTI leadership to flee the scene. The protest ended with the operation on November 26.

A notice was also sent to her guarantor, summoning them to appear before the court, and the court also cancelled Aleema Khan's surety bonds.