ATC Issues Contempt Notice to Adiala Jail Chief in Imaan Mazari Case
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday issued a contempt-of-court show-cause notice to the superintendent of Adiala Jail after lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, were not produced through video link and their signed powers of attorney were not provided to the court.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra conducted the hearing in proceedings linked to the couple’s bail applications. The court had previously directed jail authorities to facilitate their appearance via video link.
Despite the order, Mazari and Chattha were not produced on Saturday. Geo News reported that jail authorities also failed to provide the signed vakalatnamas, while no jail official appeared before the court.
Court Questions Jail Authorities
During the hearing, court staff informed the judge that Adiala Jail authorities had cited internet connectivity problems as the reason the two detainees could not appear through video link.
Judge Sipra noted that connectivity problems had repeatedly been cited and said experts from PTCL and NTC had previously been directed to assist with the issue.
The court also examined the continuing dispute over the powers of attorney required for Mazari and Chattha’s legal representation and bail proceedings.
Judge Sipra described receiving powers of attorney as a basic right of an accused and cautioned the jail administration against failing to comply with judicial directions.
Why Contempt Notice Was Issued
The immediate issue involved two alleged failures: the non-production of Mazari and Chattha through video link and the failure to facilitate their signed powers of attorney.
Another current report independently confirms that no representative of the jail administration appeared and that the couple were not produced through video link despite the court order.
The judge subsequently issued a show-cause notice for contempt of court to the Adiala Jail superintendent, asking why he should not face six months’ imprisonment.
This is a show-cause stage: the superintendent has not been sentenced to six months in prison. The notice requires an explanation before the court determines whether contempt has been established and what, if any, sanction is warranted.
The proceedings were adjourned until Tuesday.
Vakalatnama Dispute Delayed Bail Proceedings
The controversy over the signed legal documents predates Saturday’s hearing.
On September 22, the ATC returned bail petitions filed for Mazari and Chattha in a protest-related case because their signed powers of attorney were not available.
Their lawyers told the court they had attempted to obtain the required signatures but alleged that jail authorities had not facilitated the process. The court consequently issued notices to jail officials seeking their response.
On Thursday, Judge Sipra directed Adiala Jail authorities to obtain the documents from the sessions court, secure the accused persons’ signatures and provide the completed documents to their defence lawyers.
The jail administration, however, said its registered and digital records showed it had not received the powers of attorney. Officials also raised questions about how signatures had appeared on one disputed document, according to reporting on the proceedings.
Video-Link Appearance Also Ordered
The ATC separately ordered Mazari and Chattha to be produced through video link after they were not brought before the court on Friday.
The couple remain on judicial remand at Adiala Jail.
The latest contempt proceedings therefore centre on compliance with the court’s orders rather than determining the underlying criminal allegations against Mazari and Chattha.
Separate Cases Require Careful Distinction
Mazari and Chattha have faced proceedings in multiple cases, making it important not to combine separate allegations or court orders.
On September 17, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and granted them bail in a separate case involving social-media posts. They were subsequently arrested in another case and sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.
Saturday’s proceedings concern the jail administration’s alleged failure to comply with judicial directions related to the couple’s legal documents and appearance before the court.
The underlying criminal allegations against Mazari and Chattha remain matters for the courts to determine, and neither the contempt notice nor the dispute over their vakalatnamas establishes guilt in those cases.
Next Hearing Set for Tuesday
The Adiala Jail superintendent will now have an opportunity to respond to the show-cause notice.
The key verified development is that the Islamabad ATC has issued a contempt show-cause notice to the Adiala Jail superintendent after Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were not produced through video link and their signed powers of attorney were not provided as directed.
The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
