Barricade removal case: ATC rejects plea to drop terrorism charges against Imaan, Hadi
Lawyers boycott ATC proceedings while the court records the statements of three witnesses
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad dismissed a request on Saturday to dismiss terrorism charges against lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, who boycotted the proceedings. The ATC had initially framed charges against the couple on Wednesday in relation to an alleged violation of a designated route and incitement during an international cricket team's arrival.
Despite objections over the lack of legal requirements, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra proceeded with the case. The court issued a ruling on Saturday, rejecting their application to remove the terrorism sections without proper hearing, and declined to grant time for their lawyers to be present. The lawyers informed the court that they had no further instructions from their clients, leading to the discontinuation of the proceedings.
Judge Supra emphasized that he could not review his earlier order and noted that an application against terrorism charges could not be heard at this stage. The couple was arrested on September 17, after being granted bail and having their sentences suspended in a separate social-media case, and were produced before the ATC in connection with a Kohsar Police Station case.
They were sent on judicial remand by the court, despite being cleared of weapons possession. The ATC also held hearings for prosecution witnesses on September 29, and the case was adjourned until the same day.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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