Islamabad ATC seeks report on failure to produce Imaan, Hadi in security breach case

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad sought clarification from jail authorities on Saturday regarding the failure to produce human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, according to a court order to appear in a case. The couple, previously indicted on Tuesday for challenging the framing of terrorism charges, argued they had not been given copies of the case file or allowed to meet with their lawyers.

Initially, neither accused was produced in court, and no jail administration representative attended to explain their absence. The judge directed prosecution and police officials to contact jail authorities via telephone to find out why they were not produced. He also ordered the submission of a written explanation through WhatsApp by 11 a.m. The couple appeared via video link, along with their lawyers Zainab Janjua and Aimal Khan.

Judge Sipra banned mobile phones in the courtroom and asked why the trial had stalled while higher courts had already addressed related matters. Janjua questioned repeated failures by jail authorities to produce the accused, despite standard operating procedures outlining their appearance. Chattha said he and his wife respected the judge, had appeared before him before, and learned that judicial proceedings could not occur without proper due process.

Judge Sipra inquired whether the couple had challenged the framing of charges, noting that the high court could set them aside if they had not been framed lawfully. The court adjourned the proceedings pending submission of a report from the jail administration.