ATC fines her Rs 10,000 for allegedly obstructing the recording of testimony in a case filed against her
Aleema Khan was briefly remanded in custody and prevented from leaving the court premises in Rawalpindi on Wednesday until the court adjourned.
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 at Sadiqabad police station. The court ordered that Aleema Khan be remanded in temporary custody. “My lawyer is busy in the Supreme Court; allow me to go,” Aleema pleaded with the court.
Prosecutor Zaheer Shah stated that under Section 351 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused must remain in custody. He added that even if the accused is on bail, she cannot leave without the court’s permission.
When Aleema tried to leave the courtroom, female police officers took her into custody and returned her to the courtroom. The court ordered that the defendant was not allowed to leave the court premises.
Aleema Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, also arrived in court. Female police officers escorted her back to the courtroom. When Aleema returned to the courtroom, she was visibly distressed. The court ordered her to remain in the courtroom until the hearing ended.
Aleema Khan was fined Rs10,000 by the court for allegedly obstructing the recording of testimony in a case filed against her. The fine was imposed after the prosecution opposed the attempt to delay the recording of the testimony.
The hearing of the case has been adjourned until December 1. Aleema Khan, along with all other accused, was allowed to leave the court until the next hearing. However, she has been ordered to appear in court on December 1.
Aleema Khan’s counsel secured an extension of a written application, noting that their witnesses have attended previous hearings and are now ready to give their statements.
At the next hearing, arguments will be heard regarding her application to restore her bank accounts. The court will also hear arguments on her request to drop the Section 7 ATA terrorism charges related to the case. Five government witnesses have also been summoned to Monday’s trial.
The hearings have been marked by controversy. Aleema Khan had been absent from many of the proceedings, leading the court to issue threats of property seizure and 11 arrest warrants. The ATC had also directed to freeze her National Identity Card (NIC) and passport. She 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 she could not have been taken into custody under the law. “The court has not issued any order for her detention,” officials said, adding that the issue of Aleema Khan’s custody will be taken up in the next hearing.
Aleema Khan explained that she had appeared in the Supreme Court and requested the court for time, which led to a lengthy discussion with the prosecution. She noted that when the prosecution itself requests the court for time, no problems usually arise.
Regarding frozen accounts of Shaukat Khanum and Namal, Aleema Khan stated that she had approached the court in the matter. She said, “I asked for my accounts to be frozen. Freezing of accounts by 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 outside.
She added, “I have not been found guilty in the Shaukat Khanum and Namal cases, so how can the accounts be frozen? Even an ordinary policeman does not follow the orders of the court. 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 does arbitrarily.”
Aleema Khan further noted that she has only one account and one ID card and she would hold those in the state bank responsible for freezing her account.
D-Chowk protest
On 13 November 2023, Imran Khan issued a “final call” for nationwide protests on 24 November, demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party members and the rollback of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed had empowered a “dictatorial regime”.
Read also: TTAP stands with Imran’s sisters after the Adiala episode
The protest took place in D-Chowk, Islamabad where supporters traveled from different provinces to listen to Khan’s call.
The state rejected any possibility of negotiation and an operation was conducted against the protesters, prompting the PTI leadership to flee the scene. The protest ended with the operation on 26 November.
A notice was also sent to her bail bondsman summoning them to appear before the court and the court also canceled Aleema Khan’s bail.
