Islamabad, Feb 2 (NationPress) - An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) located in Rawalpindi issued a non-bailable arrest warrant on Monday for Aleema Khan, the sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in connection with a protest that took place in November 2024, as reported by local media.

The warrant was issued due to Aleema Khan's consistent absence from court hearings despite multiple summons. Lawyer Faisal Malik argued that she would not attend court until her bank accounts and identity card were frozen, according to Pakistan's prominent Geo News network.

During the court proceedings, Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah asserted that the accused cannot dictate court terms or hinder the legal process. He highlighted that the court has mandated a daily trial and labeled Aleema Khan's conduct as irresponsible from the outset.

After considering the arguments presented, the court denied Aleema Khan's request for exemption from personal appearance and issued notices to her guarantor. The proceedings were adjourned until February 3. The court instructed the Rawalpindi Superintendent of Police to arrest Aleema Khan and ensure her presence in court by the following day, while also ordering that her bank accounts and identity card remain frozen until her appearance, as reported by Geo News.

This case pertains to the protest on November 26, 2024, where Aleema Khan, along with ten others, faces charges. During the protest, supporters of PTI entered Islamabad, violating an official ban on public gatherings and clashed with law enforcement agencies near D-Chowk, leading to police deploying tear gas to disperse the protestors. The three-day protest aimed to pressure the government for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan but ended abruptly due to clashes.

In related news, the PTI party filed a petition with the Sindh High Court against the alleged detention of over 180 party workers during raids in Karachi and other regions of Sindh under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, according to local reports.

On Sunday, the PTI accused the Sindh police of conducting pre-dawn raids on the homes of party workers and leaders, leading to around 180 arrests. The Sindh government has denied these allegations.

The petitioners, including PTI Sindh General Secretary Mansoor Ali and Insaf Lawyers Forum President Faisal Mughal, have sought to have the order issued under the MPO on February 1 declared invalid and demanded the immediate release of the detained workers, as reported by Pakistan's leading daily Dawn.

The petition includes 14 respondents, such as the provincial Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police, among others.