A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has delayed its reserved verdict for the third time in the case against Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The case relates to the November 26 protest organized by PTI. The court has now scheduled October 16 for the next hearing.
Aleema Khan’s legal team, including her lawyer Muhammad Faisal Malik, appeared in court on Thursday. However, they were informed that the judge was on leave to attend a special course, leading to the postponement. The verdict had previously been reserved by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah but has been deferred twice before this latest delay.
The case originates from the PTI’s large-scale protest on November 26, 2024, in Islamabad, where over 10,000 party supporters entered the capital despite restrictions on public gatherings and a security lockdown. The protest faced opposition from around 20,000 security personnel deployed to prevent the march from advancing.
Violent clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement in the capital’s Red Zone. After a day of confrontation, PTI leadership decided to withdraw and announced a temporary suspension of their planned sit-in.
Following the events, authorities registered multiple cases against PTI leaders under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Cases were filed at Taxila, Sadiqabad, and Naseerabad police stations. Aleema Khan, along with 10 others, was nominated in the case registered at Sadiqabad police station.
