ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday formally indicted lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in a case pertaining to the alleged disruption of the security route of an international cricket team and incitement to public unrest.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the proceedings, during which both accused were produced via video link.
At the outset, Mr Chattha objected to the framing of charges, stating that he had not yet been provided copies of the case documents. He argued that charges could not be framed before completion of all legal formalities.
Advocate Zainab Janjua, representing the couple, also opposed the indictment, submitting that neither of them had been provided copies of the case record.
Couple objects to charges over ‘incomplete legal formalities’
She further contended that the accused had not been allowed to meet their lawyers and, therefore, the requirements for framing charges had not been fulfilled.
Despite the objections, the court proceeded with the formal indictment of both accused.
Addressing Ms Mazari and Mr Chattha, Judge Sipra observed that they could challenge the order if they wished to do so.
Witnesses summoned
The court subsequently summoned prosecution witnesses on Friday and directed that both accused be produced before it at the next hearing.
The proceedings were then adjourned until Oct 9 (Friday).
A day earlier, the indictment hearing had been postponed after it appeared that the couple could not be produced before the court via video link due to a power outage.
The lawyer couple has been in jail since their arrest on Jan 23 in a case registered against them for protesting outside the Islamabad High Court and allegedly manhandling the IHC Bar Association president. The arrest prompted criticism from rights bodies, politicians and journalists, who stressed the couple’s right to a fair trial.
Just a day later, a sessions court sentenced them to 17 years on multiple charges under Peca in a case pertaining to controversial social media posts.
Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026
