RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi on Wednesday extended the interim bail of Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, until August 8 in a case related to the violent protest of November 26 registered at Sadiqabad Police Station. Aleema, who is nominated in the case, appeared before the court along with her legal team. After marking her attendance, the court adjourned proceedings without any further arguments.
Speaking to media representatives and vloggers outside the courtroom, Aleema Khan urged political opponents and media figures not to equate political opposition with anti-state sentiments. “Let politics remain politics. Don’t make opposition in politics an anti-state campaign. There’s a clear difference between a political stance and an anti-state narrative,” she said, adding that attempts to portray PTI as an anti-state entity were misleading and part of a broader smear campaign. “Mindsets must evolve. Allegations won’t work anymore,” she added.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, the ATC accepted PTI leader and National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub’s plea for exemption from personal appearance in cases related to the PTI protests of October 4 and November 26. The court also issued arrest warrants for other accused who failed to appear.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing and directed the prosecution to present arguments on whether challans can be submitted against accused individuals whose bail applications are still pending. The hearing of two Azadi March-related cases against PTI leaders and workers was adjourned without proceedings.
Summon notices were issued to PTI lawyers Ali Bokhari, Shoaib Shaheen, and other accused in a case registered at Kohsar Police Station. The hearing of this case has been adjourned till September 6. Additionally, the court postponed hearings in related cases registered at Noon and Kohsar police stations till August 4, and those at Aabpara and Tarnol police stations until August 11.
PTI Senator Azam Swati was provided with copies of the challan in one of the cases. A supplementary report was also submitted in the November 26 protest case from Kohsar Police Station. The court confirmed that the challan for case No. 551 from the same station has been formally submitted.
Notably, the hearing of another case related to the Azadi March, registered at Khanna Police Station under FIR No. 242, was also adjourned without progress. PTI lawyers Sardar Muhammad Masroof Khan, Aamna Ali, and Murtaza Toori appeared on behalf of party workers facing charges under anti-terrorism and other legal provisions. The cases span multiple police stations, including Noon, Kohsar, Aabpara, Tarnol, and others.
The multiple adjournments reflect the ongoing legal battles faced by PTI leadership and supporters stemming from protests and political activities held in late 2022 and throughout 2023.
