Imran Khan was examined without the presence of family or his personal doctors, says Aleema
Aleema Khan, sister of PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan. Photo: Express/File
RAWALPINDI:
An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi on Thursday suspended the non-releasable warrants issued for Aleema Khan, the sister of former prime minister Imran Khan, along with those issued for her guarantors.
The warrants, which marked the 13th issued against Aleema Khan, had been issued on Wednesday after she again failed to appear in a case related to the November 26 protest.
The case has been registered at Sadiqabad Police Station and relates to a protest held at D-Chowk in Islamabad on November 24, 2024.
The protest followed a “final call” by Imran Khan for nationwide demonstrations demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party leaders and the overturning of the 26th constitutional amendment, which he said had empowered a “dictatorial regime”.
Supporters from across the country gathered at D-Chowk. The government ruled out negotiations and launched an operation against protesters, prompting PTI leaders to flee. The protest ended on November 26.
Read: Attaullah Tarar rejects any government ‘deal’ with Imran Khan
The court, presided over by Justice Amjad Ali Shah, could not continue the hearing as the judge was on leave. The last two witnesses in the case are now scheduled to appear before the investigating officers on the next date.
On Monday, Aleema Khan filed a request for exemption from appearing in court citing her busy schedule with Imran Khan’s medical conditions. She requested that her appearance be postponed by two to three days. Her request was denied and a warrant was issued for her arrest without bail.
The court ordered the defense counsel to finish cross-examining the last two witnesses during the next hearing.
Media talk
Speaking to the media outside the court today, Aleema Khan criticized the handling of the case and highlighted Imran Khan’s health problems. She said: “The PTI founder has an eye problem and our only demand is that he be transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital for treatment,” she said. “Imran Khan’s release will be possible only when Justice Sarfraz Dogar hears the pending cases.”
She also called for the authorities to investigate Khan and said the government should be ashamed of the way they treated the former prime minister. “He was examined without the presence of family or his personal doctors,” she added.
Aleema Khan said the cases against her brother, senior journalist Hamid Raza and others have been filed on political grounds. “These cases will be canceled in time and Insha’Allah, that day will come soon,” she said.
PTI protest
PTI members along with Aleema Khan participated in a sit-in outside the Parliament building as protesters demanded that Imran Khan get urgent medical treatment for his eye disease. The demonstration began on Friday and was called off on Wednesday after five days.
Read more: PTI ends sit-in at KP House as protests at Parliament House continue
The sit-in is linked to concerns over former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan’s health. On Sunday, a five-member team of specialist doctors conducted a detailed medical examination at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. No PTI leaders were present despite a government offer to allow them to witness the inspection.
Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig said a team of specialists visited the jail with medical equipment, medicines and other supplies to conduct Imran Khan’s eye examination. The review was conducted under the supervision of a two-member medical board, he said.
