Adiala officials avoid contempt proceedings in Mazari case

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has dropped contempt proceedings against officials of Adiala Jail after lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, were allowed to sign their powers of attorney.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra disposed of the proceedings on Tuesday after the required vakalatnamas of both petitioners were signed.

The court had earlier issued a show-cause notice to the Adiala Jail superintendent over alleged non-compliance with its orders concerning the couple. The proceedings arose after jail authorities failed to provide the signed powers of attorney and did not produce the two lawyers through video link during an earlier hearing.

At the September 26 hearing, the court was informed that Mazari and Chattha could not be produced through video link. No jail official appeared before the court, while the required documents had also not been submitted.

The court had subsequently sought an explanation from the jail superintendent and warned that failure to comply could result in a six-month prison sentence.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Supra directed the jail superintendent to establish clear rules for the signing of powers of attorney by prisoners. The judge stressed the importance of ensuring that such procedures remain accessible to all inmates.

The judge observed that signing a power of attorney is an important initial step in accessing legal representation and justice. He also said that standard operating procedures could help prevent similar problems in the future.

After the documents were signed, the court ended the contempt proceedings against the Adiala officials and disposed of the matter concerning the powers of attorney.

Mazari and Chattha were arrested earlier this month and sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand in another case. Their arrest came shortly after the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and granted them bail in a separate case involving their social media posts.

Police sources said the couple faces allegations including promoting an anti-state narrative, incitement and interference in government affairs.

In the separate case, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and granted bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each, pending a final decision by the Islamabad High Court.

Earlier, a district and sessions court in Islamabad had sentenced both Mazari and Chattha to 17 years in prison under different provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. They later challenged the convictions before the Islamabad High Court.