Rawalpindi, Pakistan – In a major legal development that has sparked nationwide attention, a Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court has ordered the unfreezing of bank accounts belonging to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT) and Namal University, offering significant relief to both medical patients and university students who depend on these institutions.
The decision was announced by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah during proceedings linked to the November 26 protest case, in which the sister of a prominent political leader has been nominated. According to officials present in court, the prosecutor confirmed that only the personal accounts associated with the accused were officially frozen, based on information tied to her CNIC. There was, however, no documented request to freeze the accounts of SKMT or Namal University.
Defence lawyers argued that freezing the charity and educational institution’s accounts had no legal basis and was causing unnecessary disruption. With the prosecution raising no objection, the court promptly directed authorities to restore all affected accounts.
The order comes after several days of public concern. Social media had been filled with questions about whether the freezing of SKMT accounts might affect cancer treatment services, especially for underprivileged patients who rely on the trust’s financial support. While SKMT earlier clarified that most accounts were still operational, it admitted that a limited number had been placed under restrictions due to procedural actions.
The lifting of these restrictions is being welcomed as a crucial step to prevent disruption in cancer care, ongoing hospital operations, and the academic activities at Namal University. Analysts suggest that the decision also helps restore public trust at a time when welfare institutions remain heavily dependent on donations, patient support programmes, and uninterrupted banking access.
This latest development underscores the delicate balance between judicial processes and the functioning of humanitarian institutions. For now, both SKMT and Namal University can move forward without financial roadblocks — a relief that many hope will translate into uninterrupted services for thousands across Pakistan.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
