Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha to face trial at Adiala jail

An anti-terrorism court has directed lawyers and prosecution witnesses in the case against detained lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to appear at Adiala Jail for the next hearing on Friday. The decision came after Islamabad police cited difficulties in transporting the couple to court and proposed holding their trial inside the prison.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra also directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to arrange a meeting between Imaan and her lawyer in accordance with the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978. The order followed a complaint by the defence about alleged restrictions and a lack of privacy during an earlier meeting.

Imaan and Hadi are facing charges linked to the alleged disruption of a security route used by an international cricket team and incitement to public unrest. They were accused of removing barriers along the route and were indicted in the case on October 7.a1

The defence has repeatedly sought access to the accused to discuss the case and prepare for the trial. On Wednesday, their lawyers boycotted the proceedings after the court decided to record prosecution witnesses’ statements despite their request for a delay until they could meet their clients.

During Thursday’s hearing, defence lawyer Aimal Khan Mandokhail submitted an affidavit describing the difficulties he allegedly encountered while meeting Imaan at Adiala Jail. According to the affidavit, he received a certified copy of the court order at 2:52pm on Wednesday and reached the prison at 3:50pm. However, he was allowed to meet his client only at 4:45pm.

Mandokhail said the meeting took place in a conference room rather than a private space. He alleged that the conversation was being recorded, preventing the lawyer and his client from communicating confidentially. He also said prison officials did not allow him to take case documents inside or hand them over to Imaan.

The affidavit further stated that two female constables remained with Imaan during the meeting, the door was left open and male staff members stood outside. The meeting ended at 5:10pm.

According to the lawyer, Imaan and Hadi had clarified that they were not boycotting the trial. They wanted to appear before the court in person, arguing that technical problems with audio and internet connections made it difficult to follow proceedings and consult their lawyers through video links. They also asked their counsel to challenge the orders requiring them to attend hearings remotely.

Defence lawyer Riasat Ali Azad told the court that the inability to access case documents had prevented an effective discussion between Mandokhail and his client. He argued that the accused should be produced before the court and that proceedings should not continue without their proper participation.

Judge Sipra questioned the authorities over the failure to bring the couple to court and asked whether police had submitted a report explaining the situation. He warned that the SSP (Headquarters) could be summoned if the required report was not provided.

When the hearing resumed, Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Pari Gul appeared before the court. Officials informed the judge that jail authorities had requested a vehicle to transport Imaan and Hadi, but Islamabad police said they lacked the necessary vehicle and three constables required for the transfer.

Gul explained that a large police contingent had been deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, creating difficulties in arranging the accused’s transportation. She said her office had requested permission to conduct the trial at the jail, although a final decision had not yet been made.

The judge expressed displeasure over the police response, observing that the authorities should have raised the transportation issue earlier. He questioned how the situation had been allowed to affect the course of the proceedings despite repeated directions to produce the accused before the court.

Azad also challenged the justification for keeping the couple away from court, arguing that their production should not present insurmountable difficulties. He questioned how the trial could proceed fairly without their physical presence and requested that the recording of proceedings be stopped.

Imaan’s mother, former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, also questioned the authorities’ explanation. She recalled that her daughter and Hadi had previously been brought to court late at night, with a convoy of 12 vehicles accompanying them.

Later, Imaan and Hadi joined the hearing through a video link, and Judge Sipra informed them about the proceedings. SP Gul told the court that a formal notification concerning the proposed jail trial would be issued on Thursday.

Hadi said he had no objection to appearing in person or facing trial inside the prison. However, he stressed that lawyers and journalists should also be permitted to attend the proceedings if the trial was held at Adiala Jail.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until Friday and directed the defence lawyers and prosecution witnesses to appear at Adiala Jail for the next session.