Aleema claims govt offered deal for Imran’s release

LAHORE: Aleema Khan, sister of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, claimed on Saturday that the government had offered Barrister Gohar a deal to secure Imran Khan’s release in exchange for staging a sit-in at Sangjani.

Speaking to the media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here, Aleema Khan shared that she attended hearings for three to four cases that day. She voiced concern over the delay in the trial of the Jinnah House case, pointing out that it has yet to begin.

According to her, the investigation officer acknowledged for the first time that the accused had joined the investigation. “We are not seeking bail; we want the trial for the May 9 cases to commence,” she asserted.

Aleema further accused the prosecution of lacking evidence, saying, “They are ruining people’s lives. Even the police were unaware of our alleged role in the October 5 case.”

Regarding the protests on November 24, Aleema Khan claimed the government had panicked when people began gathering. She claimed, “The government had summoned Barrister Gohar and told him to stage a sit-in at Sangjani, promising they would release the PTI chairman.”

Earlier, the ATC heard cases against Aleema Khan and others related to the May 9 incidents. Presiding Judge Arshad Javed oversaw the proceedings.

During the hearing, Aleema Khan addressed the court, saying, “We have been appearing before the courts for the past one and a half year. Judges keep getting transferred, bail is not confirmed, and investigating officers were initially not appearing.”

Judge Arshad Javed questioned the delays in bail confirmations, remarking, “When I was transferred here, there were over 300 bail applications from PTI members; now, the number has reduced to 170. Many innocent people have returned home. If investigations are incomplete, should we penalise the police for negligence? This is the final warning to the police to complete their investigations; no further dates will be given for the bail.”

Aleema Khan also highlighted that while she and others were in jail on October 4, their names were added to certain cases. “How were we implicated in these cases?” she questioned.

The court inquired from the investigating officer about the rationale for implicating Aleema Khan and others. The officer responded, “They incited workers.” Subsequently, the ATC extended bail for Aleema Khan and other PTI members in the Jinnah House attack and related cases until January 18, directing the police to submit a comprehensive investigation report.