On the orders of a Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court (ATC), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has blocked Aleema Khan’s computerised national identity card (CNIC), while the Director General of Passports has blocked her passport. The State Bank of Pakistan has also frozen her bank accounts in compliance with the court’s directives.
The orders were issued earlier on October 24, when the Rawalpindi ATC directed the Director General of NADRA to block Aleema Khan’s CNIC, instructed the Director General of Passports to block her passport, and ordered the Governor of the State Bank to freeze all her bank accounts.
The order was given in response to Aleema Khan’s repeated failure to show in court for her hearings related to November 26, despite the non-bailable arrest warrants the court had previously issued. The court ordered the confiscation of her guarantor’s property in favour of the state.
The court observed that the accused is present in the country but continues to avoid appearance, warning that her attendance will be ensured by all means.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah has observed that Aleema’s repeated absences amounted to obstruction of judicial proceedings.
The latest and third such warrant was issued on October 22, when the court also served show-cause notices to two police officers for filing a “fabricated and misleading” report claiming Khan had gone into hiding, despite videos showing her speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail the previous evening.
Earlier, non-bailable warrants were issued on October 14 and 20 after Aleema failed to attend proceedings. On October 14, the court also rejected her lawyer’s request for exemption from personal appearance, noting she was to be formally charged in the case.
Read: Rawalpindi ATC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan over repeated absences
A bailable arrest warrant had first been issued on October 8, when Aleema was due to be indicted but did not appear.
The case being heard in the ATC is registered at Sadiqabad Police Station, about a protest held in November last year. The charges include protesting against the government, chanting anti-government slogans, vandalism and stone-pelting.
Arrest warrants have been repeatedly issued. A notice was also sent to her guarantor, summoning them to appear before the court, and the court also cancelled Aleema Khan’s surety bonds.
The court adjourned the case until October 27.
Read more: ATC issues non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan
D-Chowk Protest
On November 13, 2023, Imran Khan made a “final call” for nationwide protests to be held on November 24, demanding the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of imprisoned party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed had empowered a “dictatorial regime”.
The protest took place in D-Chowk, Islamabad, where supporters travelled from different provinces to heed Khan’s call.
The state rejected any possibility of negotiation, and an operation was conducted against the protestors, prompting the PTI leadership to flee the scene. The protest ended with the operation on November 26.
