ISLAMABAD – A Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has ordered the urgent restoration of bank accounts belonging to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Namal University. The accounts were frozen by mistake during a case involving Aleema Khan.
The issue began when the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan after she failed to appear. The court then directed that all accounts registered in her name be frozen. This order was later misinterpreted by several banks.
During the hearing, lawyers from the hospital and the prosecution appeared before Judge Amjad Ali Shah. Prosecutor Zahir Shah told the court that the freezing of Shaukat Khanum and Namal University accounts was never requested by his office. He said Aleema Khan’s CNIC was shared with the State Bank, and commercial banks mistakenly blocked the hospital and university accounts while checking for linked accounts.
In its petition, Shaukat Khanum Hospital described the situation as extremely concerning. It said essential cancer medicines were stuck at the port because payments could not be made. The petition warned that patient care was at serious risk due to the account freeze. It stated that the court’s instructions had been misunderstood, causing major disruption for public-service institutions.
Prosecutor Zahir Shah confirmed he had no objection to releasing the hospital and university accounts. However, he asked the court to keep Aleema Khan’s business accounts frozen.
After reviewing the arguments, the court issued a clear order. It directed authorities to immediately restore the accounts of Shaukat Khanum Hospital and Namal University. The decision aims to ensure patient services continue without delay and that medical supplies can be processed without further obstacles.
In other News Read More Information Minister lambasts Imran Khan’s Sisters for Appearing on Indian Channels
Officials expect normal financial operations to resume quickly once the accounts are fully restored.
