ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday extended for two more days the physical remand of former prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khan in a case registered with Kohsar Police over Oct 4 protest at D-Chowk.

Both sisters of the former prime minister were on a daylong physical remand which expired on Tuesday.

They were produced before ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain.

During the court proceedings, police sought extension in physical remand for 10 days, arguing that their custody for further investigation is necessary.

Special court defers ex-PM, his spouse’s indictment in fresh Toshakhana case

The prosecution stated that a megaphone has already been recovered, but a mobile phone is yet to be recovered.

The prosecution claimed the two women are not cooperating with the investigation. The prosecutor claimed that around 30 police officers were injured in alleged attacks.

Defence counsel Faisal Chaudhry rejected these allegations and termed the case political victimisation.

He said that Ms Aleema and Ms Uzma have been arrested for their association with PTI and accused the authorities of targeting them unfairly.

Mr Chaudhry also expressed concern over lack of medical reports despite a request he made for a medical check-up of his clients, and noted that Ms Aleema was arrested on October 4 but she was not produced in the court until October 6.

Niazullah Khan Niazi, another defence lawyer, argued that the court had initially indicated the detention would be judicial and questioned the necessity of prolonged custody.

He highlighted the broader context of political suppression, stating that freedom of expression has been increasingly restricted in recent months.

Mohammad Ali Bukhari, also representing the defence, questioned the legitimacy of the remand request, noting that this was the third such request and accused the prosecution of failing to provide sufficient evidence to justify the extension in the remand.

After hearing the arguments of both sides, Judge Zulqarnain reserved the judgment and later granted a two-day extension of physical remand of Mr Khan’s sisters.

Imran’s indictment deferred

Meanwhile, the Special Court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) again deferred the indictment of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case.

Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjamand resumed proceedings in the case in Adiala Jail. However, due to security concerns the proceedings were adjourned without framing of charges against Mr Khan and his wife.

The court set Oct 21 as the next date for their indictment.

Initially, the court set to indict them on Oct 2, but the proceedings were deferred on one pretext or another in the subsequent hearings. This time, the jail authorities raised concerns about security risks, requesting the court that proceedings inside the jail be adjourned.

The court accepted the request, and adjourned the hearing till Oct 21.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2024