The lawyers seek suspension of their anti-terrorism court trial, alleging procedural violations and restrictions on their right to a fair hearing.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, have approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan against an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order refusing to suspend their trial in a security breach case linked to the alleged disruption of an international cricket team’s security route.
The couple filed separate petitions through senior counsel Faisal Siddiqui on Monday, October 26, seeking to set aside the IHC’s October 19 order and restrain the anti-terrorism court (ATC) from proceeding further.
Defence Challenges Recording of Prosecution Evidence
The petitions challenged the trial court’s recording of the examination-in-chief of six prosecution witnesses on October 10 and 14.
The defence argued that the proceedings continued despite the absence of the accused and their lawyers, who had withdrawn from participation in protest. The petitions maintained that their absence did not amount to waiving their right to be present during the recording of evidence.
The lawyers also cited Section 353 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which concerns the recording of evidence in the presence of the accused, and argued that the proceedings violated due process protections.
These assertions form part of the defence’s legal arguments and have not been established as judicial findings in the reports cited.
The couple has asked the Supreme Court to suspend further proceedings while the legal challenges are considered.
Dispute Over Trial Inside Adiala Jail
Separately, the Islamabad High Court heard arguments on the couple’s challenge to the decision to conduct their trial inside Adiala Jail and the appointment of a state counsel.
During the hearing, defence lawyer Riasat Ali Azad questioned the legal authority used to initiate the jail trial. He argued that the accused should have been heard before the decision was made and raised concerns about access for journalists and members of the public.
The defence also challenged the process through which the jail trial was approved, arguing that the relevant authorities had exceeded their powers.
The IHC bench, comprising Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas and Justice Shahrukh Arjumand, questioned aspects of the arguments, including the legal basis for determining where a trial should take place.
After hearing the defence, the bench said it would examine the matter. No final ruling on the challenge to the jail trial was reported in the cited coverage.
Background of the Security Breach Case
The case was registered at Islamabad’s Aabpara Police Station and concerns allegations that Mazari and Chattha disrupted the security route of an international cricket team during its visit to Pakistan in October 2024.
The couple was indicted by an anti-terrorism court on October 7. They have challenged the framing of charges and the inclusion of terrorism-related provisions.
The defence disputes the allegations and has questioned the legal basis for applying terrorism provisions to the case.
In a separate case concerning controversial social media posts, the Supreme Court suspended the couple’s 17-year sentences on September 17 and granted them bail subject to surety bonds. However, they were arrested again hours later in connection with the security breach case.
