Judge says repeated absences obstruct judicial process as 12 bank accounts frozen.

RAWALPINDI | Thursday, November 6, 2025

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Thursday issued yet another non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, marking the eighth consecutive warrant following her persistent failure to appear in court proceedings.

Case background

The case, registered at the Sadiqabad Police Station, involves charges of protesting against the government, chanting anti-state slogans, vandalism, and stone-pelting during the November 26 D-Chowk demonstrations.

Judge Amjad Ali Shah observed that Aleema’s continued absences amounted to obstruction of judicial proceedings, after earlier arrest warrants issued on October 14, 20, 22, and November 4 went unheeded.

Court orders on properties and financial assets

The ATC directed the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa to provide details of Aleema Khan’s properties. The court further ordered Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairperson Akif Saeed to submit information on any companies or shares registered in her name.

A report submitted to the court confirmed that 12 bank accounts belonging to Aleema Khan have been frozen, including accounts in Bank Alfalah and MCB, with one MCB account reportedly holding Rs124 million.

Action against financial institutions

The court also issued arrest warrants for the UBL Head Office Manager in Karachi and Habib Metro Bank Manager Syed Mansoor Hussain for failing to submit reports despite repeated notices. Soneri Bank and the Bank of Punjab were also issued contempt of court notices for non-compliance.

Previous directives

Due to Aleema’s repeated absence, the court had previously ordered on October 24 the blocking of her CNIC and passport, and directed the State Bank of Pakistan Governor to freeze all her bank accounts.

Her surety bonds worth Rs50,000 have been cancelled, and her guarantor has been summoned to appear before the court.

D-Chowk protest context

The case stems from the D-Chowk protest on November 24–26, 2023, when Imran Khan called for nationwide demonstrations demanding restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate and reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The protests turned violent, prompting a security operation that led to arrests and dispersal of demonstrators.

Court proceedings continue

The hearing has been adjourned until November 10, with the prosecution arguing that Aleema Khan’s continuous defiance is a “mockery of the judicial process”, as witness testimonies remain pending.