An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan over her alleged involvement in a 2024 protest organised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The protest in question took place on November 26, 2024. During the court proceedings in Rawalpindi, judge Amjad Shah heard the case registered at the Saddarabad police station.
While Aleema Khan’s counsel sought an exemption from a personal appearance, the court refused and told the superintendent of police for Rawal Town Circle to apprehend her and produce her in court on Tuesday (February 3).
Aleema’s counsel, Faisal Malik, cited the ongoing freeze on her identification and financial assets for the exemption. Malik argued that his client will not appear until she was given access to her bank accounts and identity card.
The prosecution, however, characterised this absence as “defiant behaviour”. Special prosecutor Zahir Shah argued that Aleema’s conduct had been “irresponsible from the very first day” and said “no accused can dictate to the court or hold it hostage”.
Rejecting the plea for exemption, the judge mandated her immediate custody to ensure her presence at the next hearing, and ruled that until she surrenders, her bank accounts and identity card will remain restricted.
This comes two months after Aleema had alleged a “pre-planned political vendetta” by the Pakistani government against her family and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). She said, at the time, that the authorities had “already decided to arrest her” and were weaponising state institutions to silence public dissent. She had described the freezing of her personal finances as “economic strangulation” and “persecution” carried out without judicial direction or due process.
Only days ago, Aleema had slammed the administration over the incarceration of her brother and his supporters. She drew attention to the treatment of a student named Najam, who she alleged had been apprehended with “animalistic brutality”.
“I don’t know why they behave like animals”, she said, questioning whether such behaviour was “part of their job or if they’ve been told this is the way to get a promotion”.
She has maintained that the measures against her are part of a “broader crackdown aimed at crippling PTI leadership”.
