An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has granted bail to Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, regarding their involvement in the D-Chowk protest case.
Alhamdulillah, Imran Khan's sisters, Aleema Khanam and Uzma Khanam, have been released from prison after 20 days of unjust confinement. They have demonstrated their steadfast support for their brother's ideology and his struggle for the nation.#ReleaseImranKhan… pic.twitter.com/Rgq87hxOdz
— PTI Canada Official (@PTIOfficialCA) October 25, 2024
Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain issued the release order on Friday for the case filed at Kohsar police station in Islamabad. The two sisters, arrested on October 4, 2024, were granted bail after the court accepted surety bonds of Rs.20,000 each.
PTI lawyers left the Judicial Complex with the court’s mandamus, an order directing the sisters’ release. Following the ATC’s bail approval, Aleema and Uzma were released from district jail in Jhelum, where PTI workers and supporters gathered to welcome them. Aleema’s son Sheroz and sister Noureen Niazi were also present.
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The former ruling party had launched an anti-government campaign advocating for the judiciary’s “independence” and the release of the former prime minister. Several PTI leaders, along with Imran’s sisters, were detained during demonstrations in Islamabad. The case against Aleema and Uzma included 16 terrorism-related charges.
In a brief statement to reporters, Ms. Aleema alleged that she and her sister were kept isolated from other inmates and were denied amenities such as TV and phone calls. Their release occurred just two days after Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was granted bail in the Toshakhana case. Ms. Aleema emphasized that her brother is also being held in connection with the same case and called for his release.
Ms. Niazi rejected any speculation that the consecutive bail approvals were the result of a “deal” with the authorities.
Defense’s Argument for Bail Approval
The bail order came two days after a delayed hearing due to the prosecution’s failure to submit case records. Advocate Niazullah Niazi mentioned that this delay had postponed earlier bail proceedings, while PTI’s lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar expressed frustration over the unavailable records, which he argued cast a negative light on the process.
Barrister Safdar contended that bail was warranted on three grounds: both defendants were women, there was no direct evidence of conspiracy, and the charges were broad. He noted that without the records, he might escalate the matter to the high court. The prosecutor acknowledged his inability to present arguments without the necessary documents.
Read more: Bushra Bibi released from Adiala Jail
Is Imran Khan close to freedom?
Imran Khan, a former cricketer and philanthropist, remains imprisoned, maintaining his innocence and accusing the government and “establishment” of orchestrating a campaign to keep him detained. Khan, who was arrested in August last year, faces over 150 charges, including corruption, inciting violence, sedition, and leaking state secrets, following his ouster through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Naeem Haider Panjutha, a member of Khan’s legal team, shared Gohar Ali Khan’s optimism about securing imminent relief for him.
“They (Imran and his wife) faced similar charges, so there’s no reason for Khan to remain jailed in this case. He has no convictions, and while some cases from May 9 are still pending, we’re hopeful of obtaining bail and his release,” Panjutha stated.
Khan was briefly detained on May 9 last year, which sparked nationwide protests from PTI supporters. The demonstrations intensified, leading to attacks on state buildings and military installations, resulting in thousands of arrests, although only about 100 individuals faced military trials.
Some good news coming out of Norway today IA. #ReleaseImranKhan
— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) October 25, 2024
Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide to Khan, also voiced optimism about the former prime minister’s potential release.
“He is being held illegally, just like his wife was. This release is not the result of any deal but rather the result of her lawyers’ determination in court. We will do the same for Imran Khan and take to the streets to protest for his release,” Bukhari stated.