ATC rejects plea to drop terrorism charges against...

Summary

• An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has rejected a request to remove terrorism charges against lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case involving the alleged removal of barricades and violation of a designated route during the arrival of an international cricket team.
• Chattha also questioned how charges had been framed when the couple had not been physically present in court.
• The judge also questioned a prison official over the failure to produce Imaan and Chattha before the court and sought an explanation.

AI Generated Summary

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has rejected a request to remove terrorism charges against lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case involving the alleged removal of barricades and violation of a designated route during the arrival of an international cricket team.

The hearing took place on Saturday before ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra. The proceedings continued despite a boycott by the accused and their lawyers, who objected to the handling of the case and raised concerns over their right to a fair trial.

The court dismissed the couple’s application seeking the removal of terrorism-related provisions without hearing their lawyers or granting additional time. Judge Supra observed that the application could not be heard at the current stage of the proceedings. He also stated that he lacked the authority to review his earlier order framing charges against the accused.