Rawalpindi ATC defers verdict in Aleema Khan protest case again

RAWALPINDI: A special anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi has deferred its reserved verdict for a fifth time in a case registered at Sadiqabad Police Station over the November 26 protest, in which Aleema Khan, sister of the former PTI chairman, and 10 other accused are named, and fixed November 26 for the next proceeding.

Aleema Khan's counsel, Advocate Muhammad Faisal Malik, and the prosecution team appeared before the court at the hearing, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported from Rawalpindi. The report did not say what either side argued, what reason the court gave for postponing the ruling again, or whether the accused are on bail.

The Express Tribune also reported the fifth deferral and likewise described the case as Aleema Khan's November 26 protest case. Neither outlet said when the court first reserved its judgement, which provisions of law the first information report cites, or how many people were named in it.

A reserved verdict is a ruling a judge holds back after hearing arguments, to be read out on a later date. Repeated postponements leave both the complainant and the accused without a final decision, and the case stays pending until the court pronounces its order.

Cases registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 are tried by special anti-terrorism courts, which in Punjab hear matters arising from districts within their jurisdiction, including those stemming from protests and public order incidents.

The five deferrals mean the accused, including the former PTI chairman's sister, have now waited through repeated settings of the case without a ruling on the charges against them. The reports of the hearing did not indicate whether the court set any deadline for itself or whether either side sought an adjournment.

The court has fixed November 26 for the next proceeding. The reports did not state the year of the protest from which the Sadiqabad case arises, or whether all 11 accused were present at the hearing.