RAWALPINDI: Ten accused, including Aleema Khanum, the sister of former PTI chairman, have been indicted in the Sadiqabad Police Station case with regard to PTI’s November 26 protest, in the Special Court of Anti-Terrorism, Rawalpindi. The court has summoned five prosecution witnesses on a future date and adjourned the hearing until October 17. The prosecution has completed its arguments regarding Aleema Khanum’s petition to challenge the court’s jurisdiction.
Aleema Khanum, named in case number 3393 of Sadiqabad Police Station, appeared in court on Wednesday alongside her lawyer, Faisal Malik. Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah was also present. At the outset, Aleema Khanum filed a new petition challenging the court’s jurisdiction under Section 23 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The petition argued that the Act does not apply to her, as she had merely conveyed the former chairman’s message to the public via media. Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah opposed the petition, arguing that it cannot halt the court’s trial process. He further noted that nine other accused in the case have already been sentenced and did not file appeals, making their sentences final, therefore, the question of jurisdiction is moot.
Following these arguments, the court indicted Aleema Khanum and nine other accused, Sajid Qureshi, Atif Riaz, Faheem Razaq, Adalat Khan Qureshi, Mursalin Kiani, Tayyab Abbas Shah, Umar Shah Muhammad Hanif, and Ali Raza.
The indictment was read to the accused, who denied its validity. The court subsequently summoned five witnesses—Sub-Inspectors Zaheer and Iqbal, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Kazim Raza and Tariq Mahmood, and Constable Babar—for the regular trial commencing on October 17. The statements of the prosecution witnesses will be recorded at a later date.
Meanwhile, the court rejected the interim bail of PTI local leader Samabia Tahir in two cases registered at New Town and Sadiqabad police stations for non-compliance. Two cases related to the November protests have been registered against Samabia Tahir. The court distributed copies of charge sheets to the other accused present in the 11 cases related to the May 9 tragedy, including Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed, and adjourned the hearing until October 29.
