ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday extended the physical remand of Aleema Khanum and Dr Uzma Khan, sisters of former prime minister Imran Khan, for two more days in a case related to the PTI’s recent protest in Islamabad’s D-Chowk.

ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain extended the physical remand for two days while the prosecution had sought their custody for 15 more days.

The prosecutor, Raja Naveed, argued that the sisters of Mr Khan had incited protesters using a megaphone, thrown stones on police officers, and coordinated with others to plan attacks on state institutions, including Parliament and the Supreme Court.

According to the prosecution, mobile phones recovered from the two sisters contained crucial evidence, and further investigation was necessary to retrieve all relevant information.

The prosecution also stated that a co-accused had alleged that the two sisters supplied explosive materials for use during the protest.

This, according to Mr Naveed, was part of a larger plot to target key government institutions.

The sisters were allegedly part of a group that aimed to stage a violent demonstration which led to clashes with law enforcement agencies, resulting in damages to public and private property, he added.

Barrister Salman Safdar, representing Mr Khan’s sisters, contested these allegations, arguing that they were being unjustly detained and had not been arrested at the protest site.

He highlighted the fact that none of the sisters had been involved in any direct violence at the time of the incident, and questioned the need for their continued remand.

He criticised the authorities for targeting women, especially given their status as family members of a former prime minister, and called for their release on bail.

“These women have not committed any crime. They were merely present in the area and are now being punished because of their relationship with Imran Khan,” argued Barrister Safdar.

“Where is the evidence to show that they provided explosives or led these protests? The prosecution is merely speculating,” he added.

During the hearing, Aleema Khan reiterated her innocence, claiming that she and her sister had been standing peacefully when they were detained.

She questioned the credibility of the charges against them and criticised the authorities for their handling of the case.

Meanwhile, the same court granted pre-arrest interim bail to PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja in connection with a case related to a protest outside the Supreme Court.

The PTI supporters had gathered outside the apex court to express their dissatisfaction with the ongoing legal and political developments, especially decision on Article 63-A, and the proposed constitutional amendments.

The Kohsar police registered the case against several PTI leaders and workers, accusing them of instigating unrest and causing damage to public property.

In a related development, the Islamabad High Court was told that a special investigation team had been set up to look into the disappearance of PTI’s lawyer Intizar Panjutha.

During the hearing of a petition seeking his recovery, the inspector general of Islamabad police informed Chief Justice Aamer Farooq that through digital camera footage Mr Panjutha was last seen in F-6 and Ayub Chowk, Islamabad. He said various agencies had been contacted for tracing his whereabouts.

However, he added, SIM of Mr Panjutha’s mobile phone had not been traced through Call Data Record (CDR) and efforts to track the phone’s location via WhatsApp were being made.

The court directed the IGP to submit a detailed report on the progress of the investigation and adjourned hearing till Friday (today).

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024