Aleema warns silence will spare no one

Urges journalists to speak out for their arrested colleagues

Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder and former Prime Ministe Imran Khan, on Friday urged journalists to raise their voices for their arrested colleagues, warning that inaction could lead to repercussions for everyone.

"Two journalists have been booked in connection with the NA-129 by-election for allegedly insulting Maryam Nawaz. If the media does not raise its voice, one by one everyone will face action," she said outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore.

Aleema Khan emphasized that just as lawyers advocate for their clients, the media must also stand for its own. "Just as lawyers raise their voice for justice, the media must stand for its people. I say let them speak; they are showing their fear. The PTI founder is standing with courage. We will not fear anyone; we stand with the PTI founder," she added.

Read: Aleema Khan recounts alleged police brutality at Adiala Jail protest

She also addressed her right to meet her brother in jail, stating, "According to jail rules, we have the right to meet our brother. Who is stopping this? Legally, we can meet him. We will also go to the jail on Tuesday for the meeting."

Aleema Khan, along with Azma Khan, Asad Umar, Musarrat Cheema, and Mrs. Mazmil Masood Bhatti, appeared before the ATC in cases related to the May 9 “burn and siege” incidents. The prosecution submitted case records, and ATC Judge Arshad Javed scheduled the next hearing for January 16, directing lawyers to present their arguments at that time. The court also extended the interim bail of the accused until that date.

The cases involve incidents such as burning the PML-N office and setting a container on fire at Kalma Chowk. Additionally, the court approved Fawad Chaudhry’s request for exemption from one-day attendance.

In a separate case, Aleema Khan, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is facing anti-terrorism charges in Rawalpindi. The case includes allegations related to political protests, including chanting anti-government slogans, vandalism, and public disorder.

The charges also invoke Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which allows severe penalties including property forfeiture for offences punishable with more than 10 years imprisonment. Aleema’s lawyer argued that terrorism provisions under the ATA do not apply to political gatherings and cited Supreme Court precedents to support the plea.

However, the court rejected her petition, stating that it has proper jurisdiction, while the prosecution noted that some of the accused have already confessed. Aleema Khan has criticised the charges publicly, stating, "They want to send me to jail; they are just looking for a way. Judges' time is being wasted unnecessarily." Her counsel has indicated plans to challenge the charges in the Islamabad High Court.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Asad Umar highlighted Pakistan’s economic challenges and political instability.

Previously, Asad Umar was the Secretary General of PTI and announced that he stepped down from all party positions, shortly after his release from Adiala Jail.

"We have given a strong response to India. Pakistan has won; the whole world has acknowledged it. But Pakistan’s internal situation is not good. Our country’s economy has collapsed," he said.

Read More: Asad Umar rushed to hospital from Lahore court, condition reported stable

Umar criticized the government for delaying economic measures.

He stated, "Shahbaz Sharif has said eight committees will be formed to figure out how to improve the economy. This government has wasted three and a half years, and now they suddenly think about forming committees. When the country is in such a state and threats are being received, a political crisis will persist. Until the political crisis is resolved, the situation will not improve. It is the government’s responsibility to resolve the crisis, and everyone needs to sit together to do so."

He also commented on law enforcement that if traffic laws are being enforced, that is a good thing, but don’t enforce laws according to your own will. He added, "Over the past nine months, more than one trillion rupees in taxes have been collected on petrol."