ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday appointed a state counsel to cross-examine prosecution witnesses on behalf of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a security breach case.
Advocate Taimur Janjua was directed to appear at the next hearing after the couple’s lawyers failed to cross-examine the witnesses during Wednesday’s proceedings.
The case pertains to the alleged disruption of a security route for an international cricket team and incitement to public unrest in 2024. The couple has been accused of removing barriers along the route and was indicted on Oct 7. They are being tried in prison, with ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presiding over proceedings at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
Advocate Aimal Khan Mandokhail appeared on behalf of the couple and sought an adjournment. The court declined the request, observing that the prosecution witnesses were present and the defence could cross-examine them.
Couple’s lawyers decline to cross-examine prosecution witnesses in security breach case; hearing to resume today
Mr Mandokhail told the court that senior counsel Riasat Ali Azad was absent and that he would conduct the cross-examination.
The judge observed that the accused were lawyers themselves and could cross-examine the witnesses if they wished.
According to the court order, the defence had been clearly told at the previous hearing to ensure the presence of its lawyers for cross-examination.
“But the defence side is reluctant, rather refused to cross-examine. Both the accused are advocates themselves, and they have been asked to cross-examine the witnesses, but they have also refused to do so. In view of that, this court has no other option but to appoint a state counsel on behalf of the accused at the state expense as provided in law,” the order stated.
The court appointed Mr Janjua from a list of five lawyers provided by the Islamabad advocate general. The hearing was adjourned until today (Thursday).
Mr Janjua had previously been appointed to represent the couple in a controversial social media posts case, a move to which the couple had objected. He appeared before an Islamabad district and sessions court during a November hearing in place of Advocate Shakeel Jatt, who had initially been appointed as state counsel in that case.
Mr Jatt had refused to cross-examine prosecution witnesses, saying he could not “ask questions dictated” to him.
At a December hearing, Mr Chattha informed the court that a no-confidence application had been filed against Mr Janjua.
Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2026
