Pakistan: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Saturday disposed of a petition challenging the application of terrorism provisions in a security breach case against human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra ruled that the application could not be heard at the current stage of proceedings. The petition was disposed of without hearing the defence lawyers.
The case was registered at Aabpara Police Station over allegations that the couple posed a security risk by interfering in state affairs during the visit of an international cricket team in October 2024.
Why Did the Defence Boycott Proceedings?
During the hearing, the judge questioned why the accused had not been produced despite an order directing their appearance in person or through video link. The court contacted Adiala jail authorities and sought an explanation for their absence.
Mazari and Chattha were later produced through a video link. Chattha told the court that they had learned from newspaper reports that charges had been framed against them.
Defence lawyer Zainab Janjua said the couple had not been present during the open-court proceedings and alleged that they were being denied their right to a fair trial. She and the accused subsequently boycotted the proceedings.
What Happened During the Trial?
After the defence boycott, the court continued proceedings in the absence of the couple and their lawyers and recorded statements from three prosecution witnesses.
Judge Sipra directed a jail official to submit an explanation for the failure to produce the accused as ordered. The court summoned additional witnesses for Monday and adjourned the hearing until then.
Mazari and Chattha have been in custody since their arrest on January 23 in a separate case registered over a protest outside the Islamabad High Court.
A sessions court subsequently sentenced them to 17 years in a case involving social media posts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). On September 17, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and granted them bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each pending a final decision by the Islamabad High Court.
However, Islamabad police rearrested the couple hours after their release order in connection with another case. According to the first information report, they were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads during a protest.