ISLAMABAD: The Imaan Hadi ATC case took a new turn on Saturday as an anti-terrorism court (ATC) recorded the statements of three prosecution witnesses against lawyer and rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, after their counsels boycotted the proceedings.
The development marks a new phase in the closely watched case, which has drawn statements from UN experts and academics in Britain and the United States.
What the Imaan Hadi ATC case is about
When ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra resumed the hearing, the court was informed that Imaan and Hadi could not be produced from jail despite explicit directions. Advocate Aimal Khan, one of the couple’s lawyers, asked the court to ensure their personal appearance.
Judge Sipra observed that the court had clearly ordered their production, directing appearance through video link if physical production was not possible. After a brief adjournment, both accused were presented through video link.
The defence counsel then sought an adjournment of the proceedings. They pointed to their pending application challenging the anti-terrorism provisions invoked in the case.
Advocate Zainab Janjua, who represents the couple, told the court that the indictment of Imaan and Hadi had been challenged before the Islamabad High Court. She said the petition was scheduled for hearing on Monday. She requested that the trial court not advance the proceedings until the high court took up the matter.
The trial court went ahead and recorded the witnesses’ statements anyway.
A case that has drawn international attention
The case against the couple has followed a winding path through the courts. In an earlier hearing, the ATC judge had warned of jailing police officers after the investigation officer went missing in the couple’s bail hearing. The court later disposed of the couple’s plea to drop the terrorism charges against them.
The proceedings have also drawn notice beyond Pakistan. UN experts had demanded the immediate release of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha, adding an international dimension to the trial.
Saturday’s hearing shows the trial moving forward despite the defence’s objections. The key question now is what the Islamabad High Court does on Monday, when it takes up the couple’s challenge to their indictment and to the anti-terrorism provisions invoked against them.
If the high court suspends the indictment, the trial court’s recording of testimonies could face a fresh legal challenge. If it does not, the trial is likely to proceed to the next set of witnesses.
The original reporting came from The Express Tribune.
What happened in the ATC hearing on Saturday?
An anti-terrorism court recorded the statements of three prosecution witnesses against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha after the defence counsel boycotted the proceedings. The accused appeared through video link.
Why was the defence not present in court?
The defence counsel sought an adjournment because their application challenging the anti-terrorism provisions invoked in the case is still pending. They also said the indictment has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court, which will hear the petition on Monday.
What is the couple accused of?
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha have been indicted in a security breach case. The couple has denied the charges, and their indictment, along with the terrorism charges, has been challenged before the Islamabad High Court.
