Court Orders Legal Access for Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has directed authorities to facilitate meetings between lawyers and detained lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, underscoring the importance of access to legal counsel in the ongoing proceedings.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra issued the order on Monday during a hearing in a case registered at Aabpara Police Station over the removal of security barriers. The couple face allegations of interfering in state affairs and creating a security risk during the visit of an international cricket team in October 2024.
The court directed prison authorities to allow defence lawyers Riasat Ali Azad, Zainab Janjua and Aimal Khan to meet the accused in jail to discuss their case and prepare their defence.
Mazari and Chattha appeared before the court through video link. Former federal minister Shireen Mazari, along with lawyers Riasat Ali Azad and Aimal Khan, also attended the hearing.
During the proceedings, Chattha questioned why the couple were not being brought physically before the court, arguing that the arrangement raised concerns about their right to a fair trial. He said they had spent eight months in prison and questioned how they could adequately defend themselves under the circumstances.
Defence lawyer Riasat Ali also argued that the case could not proceed effectively without access to the accused.
“If we cannot meet Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali, how are we supposed to take the case forward?” he asked.
Chattha also expressed concern over the presence of cameras during meetings with lawyers in prison, questioning how confidential discussions between clients and their legal representatives could take place under surveillance.
In response, Judge Supra directed the prosecution to ensure that the accused were granted access to their lawyers, stressing that they could not be deprived of this facility.
The defence further informed the court of its intention to challenge an October 10 order before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The order had disposed of a petition challenging the application of terrorism-related provisions in the case.
Judge Supra observed that if the high court granted the application, proceedings before the ATC would come to an end.
The court adjourned the hearing until October 14.
Judge questions discrepancies in Adiala Jail reports
In a separate development, Judge Supra raised questions over conflicting reports submitted by Adiala Jail authorities regarding Mazari’s appearance through video link.
The court observed that Mazari had appeared through video link in the security-barrier case on October 10. However, jail authorities had cited a lack of internet connectivity as the reason for failing to produce her through the same facility in another case on that date.
Questioning the inconsistency, the judge asked whether the reports were being prepared without proper scrutiny or simply copied and pasted.
The court also directed the authorities to ensure Mazari’s appearance through video link on October 19 in the case involving former member of the National Assembly Ali Wazir.
