Aleema files plea for her acquittal in Nov 26 case
RAWALPINDI: Aleema Khan, sister of former prime minister Imran Khan, on Monday moved an application seeking her acquittal under Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the November 26 protest case, as the Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Rawalpindi, issued notices to the parties to address the plea.
During a five-hour-long hearing, the prosecution recorded statements of eight witnesses in the case registered against 11 suspects, including Ms Khan.
Aleema Khan appeared before the court along with her counsel while prosecutor Faisal Malik represented the state. The acquittal application was formally taken up by the court, which sought responses from the relevant parties.
The defence side, however, requested that further proceedings be scheduled after the winter vacation. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the hearing till Jan 2.
Earlier, Ms Khan apprised the court during the proceedings that 11 books had been submitted with a request that they be delivered to the PTI founder. The court informed her that the books had been received by the PTI founder and that a confirmation report had been received from the jail authorities. Aleema Khan thanked the court for ensuring the delivery.
The case pertains to the Nov 26 protest, in which a number of PTI leaders face trial before the anti-terrorism court. The witnesses included Noor Ahmed of PID, Nader Khan of Pemra, Muhammad Sabtain of NCCIA, Inspector Yaqub Shah of Rawalpindi police, and jail additional superintendent Ali Amir Shah, among others.
On the other hand, Mr Khan could not sign the papers of attorney, enabling his lawyers to file an appeal against his recent conviction in Toshakhana case.
According to Advocate Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, the jail authorities kept him waiting for three hours and then refused his meeting with Mr Khan for taking his signature on the papers of attorney.
Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2025
