RAWALPINDI: Rights activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, on Friday objected to the manner in which they were presented during the hearing of the security breach case, with the couple and their lawyers eventually walking out of the proceedings at Adiala jail.
The defence counsel also filed an application seeking an end to the jail trial. The case pertains to the alleged disruption of a security route for an international cricket team and incitement to public unrest. Ms Mazari and her husband have been accused of removing barriers from the route and were indicted on Oct 7.
A day earlier, following police concerns about transport limitations, an Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) directed lawyers and witnesses to appear at Adiala jail for the next hearing.
On Friday, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra conducted the hearing inside Adiala jail. The accused were presented in a dock in a corner of the courtroom, prompting objections.
“This is not the proper way to present someone in court,” Ms Mazari said, adding that they were not being allowed to meet their lawyers. Mr Chattha complained that they were being treated worse than terrorists.
At this, Judge Sipra directed police personnel standing next to the accused to move away.
“They [the couple] have been brought into the courtroom; what is the need for the police to stand right next to them?” the judge remarked.
The defence also filed an application seeking an end to the jail trial and an adjournment of the hearing. After hearing arguments, the court announced a 20-minute recess.
After proceedings resumed, prosecution witness Ibrahim recorded his statement, while defence lawyer Aimal Khan Mandokhail urged the court to decide the adjournment application before proceeding further.
“We have filed an application to adjourn the hearing; please rule on it,” he said. He also complained that other members of the defence team were not being allowed to enter the courtroom.
“If the proceedings continue in this manner, we cannot remain a part of them,” Mr Mandokhail said. He urged the court not to defer the matter until the following day, referring to the pending bail proceedings. Subsequently, the couple and their lawyers walked out of the courtroom.
‘Fair trial’
Meanwhile, Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, expressed deep concern over the reported denial of access to lawyers for Ms Mazari and Mr Chattha and their objections to the jail trial.
“Jail trials must not undermine fair trial guarantees, access to counsel or the effective right to defence,” she wrote in a post on X.
“Criminal charges should never be used as punishment for freedom of expression and human rights advocacy.”
Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2026
