Aleema Khan
LAHORE: Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has alleged that the government proposed a deal to PTI’s Barrister Gohar, offering to release Imran Khan in exchange for staging a sit-in at Sangjani.
Speaking to media outside an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday, Aleema detailed the claims, as reported on Sunday.
During her media briefing, Aleema stated that she had attended hearings for three to four cases that day. She expressed her dissatisfaction over delays in the trial proceedings related to the May 9 incidents, particularly the Jinnah House case, pointing out that the trial had yet to begin despite the passage of significant time.
She disclosed that for the first time, the investigation officer had admitted that the accused had participated in the investigation. “We are not asking for bail; we are demanding the trial to commence,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for justice and timely hearings.
Aleema accused the prosecution of failing to provide evidence, stating, “They are destroying people’s lives. Even the police did not know about our alleged involvement in the October 5 case.”
Referring to the upcoming November 24 protests, she claimed that the government had panicked as public gatherings began to form.
Allegedly, officials approached Barrister Gohar with a proposal to hold a sit-in at Sangjani, assuring him that the PTI chairman would be released in return.
Earlier, during the ATC hearings presided over by Judge Arshad Javed, cases against Aleema and other PTI members connected to the May 9 incidents were reviewed.
Addressing the court, Aleema expressed her frustration over prolonged legal proceedings. “We have been appearing in courts for over a year and a half. Judges keep getting transferred, bail confirmations are delayed, and initially, investigation officers were not attending hearings,” she said.
Judge Javed criticized the delays in bail confirmation, highlighting inefficiencies within the police. “When I was transferred here, over 300 bail applications from PTI members were pending. Now, this number has dropped to 170, and many innocent people have returned home. Should we penalize the police for their negligence if investigations remain incomplete?” the judge questioned, issuing a final warning to the police to complete their investigations without further delays.
Aleema also raised concerns over alleged false charges, citing instances where names were added to cases while the accused were in custody. “How could we be implicated in cases when we were already in jail on October 4?” she inquired.
The investigating officer justified the inclusion of names, alleging that they had incited workers.
Ultimately, the ATC extended bail for Aleema Khan and other PTI members until January 18 in the Jinnah House attack and related cases. The court directed the police to submit a detailed and comprehensive investigation report before the next hearing.
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