Aleema Khan released on bail after being taken into temporary judicial custody

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court released former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, on bail after taking her into temporary judicial custody.

A heated hearing took place at the special anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi regarding the November 26 protest case registered against Aleema Khan at the Sadiqabad police station.

When police attempted to take her into custody, the defence counsel strongly objected, while the state prosecutor defended the police.

The judge remarked that the situation appeared to be a misunderstanding and said, “If you had reached the court on time, perhaps this would not have happened. Aleema Khan is present in the courtroom and free.”

The state lawyer said that eight prosecution witnesses were present and their duties were being affected. He maintained that the conduct of the accused and her lawyers was disrupting the trial.

The defence counsel demanded action against the police officials who brought Aleema Khan back to court. The court responded that a formal application should be submitted, and it would be considered. Defence lawyers requested that the hearing be adjourned until December 1 (Monday).

The defence counsel questioned the prosecution’s urgency and also filed a plea seeking the defreezing of bank accounts belonging to Shaukat Khanum and Namal University Mianwali.

The state lawyer argued that the accounts had been frozen due to the irresponsible conduct of the accused and said they could be restored if she ensured daily attendance during the trial.

Addressing the court, Aleema Khan said, “We have faith in the court, we will get justice.” The court then accepted the defence request and adjourned the hearing until December 1.

Talking to the media outside the anti-terrorism court, Aleema Khan’s lawyer Faisal Malik said that when Aleema Khan stepped out to speak to reporters, the police surrounded her, even though she could not legally be taken into custody.

He said that the court clarified that it had issued no such detention orders and that the matter would be addressed at the next hearing.

He said that he was in the Supreme Court earlier, reached late and requested time, which the prosecutor contested at length.

He said that when the prosecution seeks time from the court, no issue is raised, yet they objected when the defence did so.

He said that they had already approached the court regarding the defreezing of Shaukat Khanum and Namal accounts.

Aleema Khan said her personal accounts could be frozen, but freezing institutional accounts affects the future of children linked to these organisations.

Talking to the media on the court premises, Aleema Khan claimed that when she returned to the courtroom after speaking to reporters, the door was bolted from outside.

She questioned how the Shaukat Khanum and Namal accounts could be frozen when she had not been proven guilty.

She alleged that even police officials were not complying with court orders, saying even the judge was unclear about who had frozen the accounts.

She said that the judge had indicated that both accounts would be reopened, adding that “this is not being done by the judge — it is the state bank officials who froze them. I have one bank account and one CNIC, and those who froze the account should know that we will not forget.”

She said that she appeared in court today to submit surety bonds and that Shaukat Khanum lawyers were also present.

She said that four Shaukat Khanum accounts had been frozen, while she served as an honorary board member. They had requested the court to restore the accounts, she said, adding that the prosecutor told the court that Aleema Khan was the board secretary.

Aleema Khan said that looting had become a trend in the country and that the government claimed credit for establishing welfare organisations like Shaukat Khanum, yet could not tolerate them.

“We do not understand why Shaukat Khanum is being targeted. We will stand firm and not step back from our purpose. Shaukat Khanum is funded by the entire world.”

She said that the prosecution argued that her alleged crime was being the secretary of Shaukat Khanum. “On this day last year, November 26, we came to Islamabad with a peaceful caravan. Women and children were with us. They did not hesitate to fire on women and children.”

She said that the PTI’s founder had given the message of peaceful protest, and her crime was delivering that message to the public.

She said, “Today marks the day of the martyrs of November 26— we pay tribute to them.”

She said that constitutional amendments were being made out of fear and that the situation had gone beyond dictatorship.

“Out of fear, they have resorted to oppression. Thirty lakh (3 million) people have left Pakistan. Who should we speak to? The government itself says they will answer after asking someone else.”