An anti-terrorism court has assigned a state-funded lawyer to represent human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Hazir-Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, after their legal team declined to cross-examine prosecution witnesses, according to court documents. The order was issued on Wednesday in a high-profile security breach trial.
The couple, both lawyers, are being tried inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where they are detained. The charges relate to disrupting the security route of an international cricket team and inciting public unrest in 2024.
Withdrawn counsel and adjournment request this week
Proceedings were first adjourned on Monday after their counsel, Advocate Zainab Janjua, withdrew her vakalatnama, or power of attorney, during a hearing at Adiala jail before Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra. On Wednesday, defence advocate Aimal Khan Mandokhail sought a further adjournment. The application said the defendants had challenged earlier court orders that began the jail trial before the Islamabad High Court on October 20.
Also read: Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha case adjourned to October 20
Judge rejects adjournment over refusal to question witnesses
Judge Sipra rejected the request, noting that several prosecution witnesses, including police officials, were present in court for questioning. In his court order, he wrote that the defence was reluctant and had refused to cross-examine the witnesses. He added that both accused are advocates themselves, had been asked to cross-examine, and had also declined.
Taimur Janjua named to cross-examine witnesses
The court then appointed advocate Taimur Janjua at state expense to conduct the cross-examination on behalf of the accused. He was selected from a panel provided by the Islamabad Advocate General’s office. The defence team had earlier objected to Janjua being appointed to represent the couple in a separate case involving controversial social media posts.
Janjua has been directed to collect the case records and appear for the cross-examination hearing scheduled for October 22 at 9am.
