Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha refuse to record statements as ATC sets next hearing

ATC directs couple to record statements

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) directed human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Hazir-Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to record their statements at the next hearing. The proceedings took place at Adiala Jail under ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who adjourned the case until October 26.

The judge asked both accused to record their statements under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). This legal procedure gives accused people an opportunity to respond to the evidence presented against them.

Couple refuses to record statements

During Saturday’s hearing, Hadi asked the court, “Let the state counsel record the statement under Section 342 on our behalf,”. The judge replied that the statements had to be recorded by the accused themselves.

Imaan also refused, stating, “We will not record the statement under Section 342,”. The judge warned that if they did not respond, the court would record in its order that no statements had been submitted.

Case concerns alleged security route disruption

Imaan and Hadi are facing trial over a 2024 case involving alleged disruption of an international cricket team’s security route and accusations of encouraging public unrest. They are accused of removing barriers along the route and were formally indicted on October 7.

At the previous hearing, a state-appointed lawyer cross-examined all prosecution witnesses after the defence failed to do so. The court appointed Atif Mehmood to handle this task, replacing Taimoor Janjua, who was removed from the case over his past conduct.

Defence asks court to wait for IHC decision

The defence filed an application asking the trial court not to issue its final judgment until the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decides a petition seeking to transfer the case to another court. The application also asked the trial court to include the pending transfer petition in its official record.

The defence further said that the appointment of the state counsel had also been challenged before the IHC. It requested that the trial court delay its final decision until the high court rules on the transfer request.

The case is moving forward, but disagreements over the recording of statements and the appointment of state counsel remain important issues. The next hearing on October 26 may clarify whether the accused will respond to the evidence and how the trial court will deal with the defence’s request.

The final outcome will depend on the court proceedings and any relevant decisions by the Islamabad High Court. The allegations remain subject to the legal process.

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