An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) issued a directive on Friday to block the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport of Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, and to freeze all her bank accounts following her persistent failure to appear for a hearing.
The stringent measures were decreed by Presiding Judge Amjad Ali Shah in a case concerning a protest held on November 26, registered at Sadiqabad Police Station. The judge remarked that ‘the accused is seen everywhere but does not appear in court,’ and mandated that her attendance be ensured ‘at all costs.’
In addition to the personal sanctions against Ms. Khan, the court instructed that the property of her guarantor be confiscated in favor of the state. The Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan was also formally directed to implement the freezing of her financial accounts.
This court action follows an event a day prior where Punjab Police officials, under the supervision of SDPO Azhar Shah, executed Ms. Khan’s arrest warrants at the Islamabad High Court. However, she was not taken into custody; instead, her signatures were obtained as part of the warrant compliance procedure.
Law enforcement had previously informed the Islamabad High Court that the purpose of serving the warrant was to guarantee her attendance at the subsequent hearing. The higher court had noted at the time that Aleema Khan was required to appear in person or she would be produced under arrest if she did not comply.
The case has been adjourned until October 27.