The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Rawalpindi on Monday granted a final exemption from personal appearance to accused Aleema Khanum in the November protest case registered under FIR No. 3393 at Police Station Sadiqabad.
Aleema Khanum again failed to appear before the court for prosecution evidence. Her counsel filed an application seeking exemption on the grounds that she was in Lahore due to unavoidable circumstances. The prosecutor Zaheer Shah strongly opposed the plea, saying that it was the 16th court hearing after the framing of charges, prosecution witnesses were attending regularly and case property was present in court. He said that fines previously imposed on the accused remained unpaid. He once again said that requests for adjournments were a deliberate attempt to delay the trial.
The prosecution also referred to the 2023 Supreme Court of Pakistan judgment in the Shahbaz Akmal case regarding lawyers’ strikes, emphasizing the duty of counsel to protect the client’s interest. Despite the objections, the ATC Judge Amjad Shah accepted the exemption application and adjourned the case to 11 December 2025 for recording of prosecution evidence.
However, the court issued a final warning that in case of non-appearance of the accused or her counsel on the next date, a state counsel would be appointed to conduct her defence, action would be initiated against the sureties and the prosecution’s pending application dated 17 October 2025 for cancellation of her bail would be decided.
Separately, an anti-terrorism court adjourned hearing on various cases against PTI leaders and workers related to November 26 protest case. The hearings were adjourned without further proceeding due to unavailability of Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sapra.
The cases are registered against PTI workers and leaders under anti-terrorism law provisions. The indictment proceedings against the accused in Kohsar Police Station case also postponed due to unavailability of judge. The hearing of all five cases registered on 26 November protest adjourned till 5 January. The three cases are registered in Kohsar Police Station and two in Sangjani Police Station against PTI leaders and workers.