ATC Issues Non-Bailable Arrest Warrants for Aleema Khan, Orders Immediate Arrest

Rawalpindi: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan in a case registered at Sadiqabad Police Station related to the November 26 protest. The court has ordered her arrest and production before the court by tomorrow.

Aleema Khan’s counsel, Faisal Malik, appeared before the court and submitted an application seeking exemption from her personal appearance. He argued that Aleema Khan would not appear before the court until her bank accounts and national identity card (CNIC) were de-frozen.

Special Prosecutor Zahir Shah strongly opposed the request, stating that the accused could not dictate terms to the court or attempt to “hijack” judicial proceedings. He told the court that it had already ordered the trial to proceed on a day-to-day basis and described Aleema Khan’s conduct as irresponsible from the very beginning. He added that as long as the accused failed to appear before the court, there was no justification for unblocking her CNIC or bank accounts.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected Aleema Khan’s plea for exemption and issued non-bailable arrest warrants. The court directed the SP Rawal to arrest Aleema Khan and present her before the court by tomorrow.

The court further ruled that Aleema Khan’s bank accounts and CNIC will remain blocked until she appears before the court. Notices were also issued to her surety, and the hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.

The prosecution witnesses were present in court during the hearing, which was conducted by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah. In the case against Aleema Khan, cross-examination of 10 witnesses has already been completed, while additional witnesses had been summoned for cross-examination today.