RAWALPINDI: The Special Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi has accepted the application for exemption from attendance for Aleema Khanum, the sister of the former chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in connection with the November 26 protest. The court adjourned the hearing of the case until March 9.
The other accused were present in court during the hearing on Wednesday. Aleema Khanum’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, submitted an application requesting a one-day exemption, stating that she was unable to attend due to the former chairman’s health and other legal reasons. Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah opposed the application, arguing that the trial was nearing completion, with only the final witness left to be examined. He claimed that the repeated requests for exemption were intended to obstruct the trial. However, the court accepted the application and adjourned the hearing until March 9.
Earlier, during the hearing, the lawyer for defence, Faisal Malik, argued that the court had previously directed the jail authorities regarding the power of attorney, but the documents had not been signed for several months. As a result, their appeals and petitions were not filed. At his, the court instructed the staff to make further inquiries with the prison authorities regarding the issue.
