ATC judge orders police to arrest Aleema

RAWALPINDI: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Amjad Ali Shah in Rawalpindi ordered the Superintendent of Police (SP), Rawal Division, to arrest Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, and present her in court on October 22. The ATC issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan for the third time in connection with the November 26, 2024, protest demonstration case. The court also issued a warrant for her guarantor and ordered the seizure of his bonds.

During the hearing, Judge Shah expressed frustration over Aleema’s repeated absence, despite assurances from her defence lawyer. The court issued a show cause notice to her guarantor, Umar Sharif, and sent his submitted property documents to the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi for verification.

On October 15, the court indicted 10 accused, including Aleema, while on October 8, their requests for exemption from attendance were rejected, leading to the issuance of bailable arrest warrants. The case stems from the PTI’s November 26, 2024, protest, during which party supporters and leaders marched from Peshawar to Islamabad to demand Imran Khan’s release.

The march, led by Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and the former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, resulted in clashes with law enforcement near Islamabad, injuring several people. Consequently, numerous cases were registered in Rawalpindi and the federal capital, charging PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Omar Ayub, with terrorism, rioting, and property damage. Aleema’s third non-bailable warrant arises from her continued absence in one of these cases.

Separately, an Islamabad ATC issued non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Zain Qureshi, Zartaj Gul, and Ali Bukhari in connection with PTI’s Sangjani rally on September 8, 2024. During the rally, PTI supporters clashed with Islamabad police while demanding the immediate release of Imran Khan and protesting the government’s marginalisation of the party. Following the clashes, at least 10 PTI MNAs were arrested. Earlier in October 2025, the court had issued bailable arrest warrants for Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, and PTI’s central information secretary, Sheikh Waqas Akram, in the same case.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing ordering the arrest and presentation of Omar Ayub, Zain Qureshi, Zartaj Gul, and Ali Bukhari. PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat appeared on behalf of the accused and filed an application for the case’s transfer, on which the court sought arguments. Judge Sipra adjourned the hearing until October 23, 2025.

In a separate case, the Special Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi adjourned the hearing of the GHQ attack case involving former PTI chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other accused until October 22 without taking action due to security concerns. The hearing, scheduled to take place in Adiala Jail, was postponed due to security arrangements for a cricket match in Rawalpindi.