An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday sharply reprimanded police officials for failing to appear during the bail hearing of lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha. The hearing was overseen by ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain in a case involving the couple’s alleged participation in a violent protest.
In a significant development last month, the Supreme Court suspended the couple’s sentences related to controversial tweets and granted them bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each, pending the final verdict from the Islamabad High Court. Despite this, the couple was rearrested on the same day in a separate case and remains detained at Adiala jail.
During Monday’s proceedings, the judge expressed frustration upon learning that the investigating officer (IO) was out of the city. He summoned the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) to appear in court. Defence counsel Riasat Ali informed the court that he was prepared to present detailed arguments.
The DSP appeared shortly thereafter but spoke in English, prompting Judge Zulqarnain to instruct him to communicate in Urdu. The DSP stated that the IO was away and later presented a printed WhatsApp message claiming the investigator had traveled to Gilgit-Baltistan. The court dismissed the WhatsApp printout and ordered the DSP to produce the original document.
In a stern warning, the judge instructed security personnel to bring handcuffs into the courtroom and ordered the DSP to remain present until a decision was made. “I will send you and the SP to jail for six months,” the judge cautioned, demanding that officials submit evidence on record.
Judge Zulqarnain also criticized the lack of documentary proof regarding the IO’s whereabouts and called for the establishment of a judicial force capable of promptly enforcing court orders.
The court ultimately adjourned the hearing until October 13, with the judge stating that a ruling concerning the investigating officer’s absence would be issued at that time.
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