An Islamabad anti-terrorism court pushed forward with a security breach trial in the absence of the accused and their legal team, disposing of a petition challenging terrorism provisions invoked against human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha. According to Geo News, the case registered at Aabpara Police Station alleges the couple posed a security risk by interfering in state affairs during an international cricket team's visit in October 2024.

During Saturday's proceedings, Geo News reported that ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra questioned why the accused had not been brought to court despite prior orders. After jail authorities failed to appear, the court briefly suspended proceedings and later connected the couple via video link. Chattha stated they only learned about charges being framed against them through newspaper reports, while defence counsel Zainab Janjua argued the accused were being deprived of a fair trial and boycotted the proceedings alongside Mazari and Chattha.

Geo News noted that the court disposed of the application challenging the terrorism provisions without hearing defence lawyers, with Judge Sipra stating the matter could not be heard at the current stage. Following the walkout, the court recorded statements from three prosecution witnesses in the absence of the defence.

Background

According to Geo News, the security breach case stems from allegations that Mazari and Chattha interfered in state affairs during an international cricket team's visit in October 2024. The couple was previously arrested on January 23 in connection with a protest outside the Islamabad High Court. A sessions court subsequently sentenced them to 17 years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) over social media posts, though the Supreme Court suspended that sentence on September 17 following months of proceedings. Earlier in the week, the ATC indicted the couple despite objections that they had not received case documents.

Why it matters

For ordinary readers and observers of the legal system in Pakistan, the developments highlight ongoing debates surrounding court procedures, the rights of the accused to a fair trial, and the protocols governing the production of detainees from prison facilities during active criminal proceedings.

What's next

The court summoned further witnesses for Monday and adjourned the hearing until then, as reported by Geo News.