An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has postponed the indictment of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a security breach case registered at Aabpara Police Station.
The court was scheduled to frame charges against the two lawyers. They are accused of disrupting the security route of an international cricket team and allegedly inciting public unrest. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing, while prosecutor Raja Naveed appeared before the court.
The defence lawyers requested additional time, explaining that the lead counsels were engaged in proceedings at the High Court. They also requested copies of the case challan and a new date for the indictment. The judge noted that copies of the challan had already been provided and said the court was ready to proceed with framing charges.
The indictment could not take place because the accused were unable to appear through video link due to a power outage at Adiala Jail. The court subsequently directed jail authorities to ensure that both accused appear through video link at the next hearing.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra also warned that contempt proceedings could be initiated if the jail authorities failed to comply with the court’s directions. The indictment proceedings have now been fixed for Wednesday.
