Islamabad:An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday indicted lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in a case pertaining to removal of a barrier, and summoned prosecution witnesses at the next hearing.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra conducted the hearing. Dr Shireen Mazari appeared before the court along with counsel Eimal Khan Mandokhail, Zainab Janjua and others, while Raja Naveed appeared as prosecutor on behalf of the federation.
During the proceedings, Advocate Zainab Janjua complained that despite the court’s orders, she had not been allowed to meet the accused and that copies of the case documents had also not been provided to them.
The judge said that reports from the jail authorities were already before the court.
Later, Hadi Ali Chattha was produced before the court through video link, followed by Imaan Mazari.
Advocate Zainab Janjua informed the court that she had filed two applications, including one seeking deferment of the indictment and another regarding provision of case documents to the accused.
The judge read out the charges, which also referred to removal of the barrier and use of an iron punch.
Hadi objected that he had not even received copies of the case documents and argued that charges could not be framed until all legal requirements were fulfilled.
The defence counsel maintained that neither accused had received the copies nor had they been allowed to meet their lawyers, arguing that the court could not frame charges without completing the legal requirements.
The court summoned the prosecution witnesses for the next hearing and directed that both accused be produced before the court in person.
The court adjourned the hearing until October 9.