ATC disposes of petition filed by Imaan, Chattha

ISLAMABAD - An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan dismissed a petition on Saturday, filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, challenging terrorism charges against them. The petition, presented through their legal counsel, sought to have the charges against them dismissed. However, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra ruled that the petition could not be reviewed at this stage. The court also rejected the defense lawyers' request for an adjournment.

The defense counsel, Zainab Janjua and Eimal Khan, boycotted the proceedings, leading to their physical absence from the courtroom. They informed the court that the Islamabad Bar Association President was unwell, with Raja Ali Azad accompanying him. Despite the court's order for the accused to be physically present, jail authorities submitted them via video link. Jail authorities stated that police had failed to provide the necessary escort to transport the accused to court.

The judge directed the prosecution to contact the Adiala Jail superintendent to inquire why the accused had not been brought to court. Previous proceedings included the prohibition of photographing the accused and a ban on mobile phones inside the courtroom. The judge later lifted the ban on mobile phones upon request from media representatives.

During the hearing, Chattha expressed respect for the judge and acknowledged that they had appeared before him regularly. He mentioned learning from the judge that judicial proceedings require due process. Following the boycott, the court proceeded with the trial, recording statements from three prosecution witnesses, including the complainant, police official, and witnesses to the accused's personal searches.

The court has scheduled additional prosecution witnesses to record their statements during the next hearing on October 12.