An anti terrorism court in Islamabad took a firm stand on Saturday against the Adiala jail administration in the ongoing matter involving human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. The couple is seeking bail in a case registered at the Secretariat Police Station. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra had directed jail officials a day earlier to produce both accused through video link. When the hearing began, neither Imaan Mazari nor Hadi Ali Chattha appeared on the screen.
Court staff informed the judge that the jail side claimed internet connectivity problems as the reason for the failure. The judge noted that similar excuses had been repeated before. He recalled that he had already ordered technical teams from PTCL and later from NTC to visit the prison. Experts from Haripur had also been directed to resolve the issue, yet the problem continued.
The court further observed that the signed powers of attorney, known as vakalatnamas, of both lawyers were not provided. No jail official appeared in person either. Shireen Mazari, mother of Imaan Mazari, along with a large group of lawyers, was present in the courtroom. The judge stressed that receiving vakalatnamas is a basic right of every accused person. He warned that the jail superintendent should not force the court into a difficult position or put himself in one.
When asked whether the deputy superintendent had collected the documents from the sessions court after lawyers submitted them, one of the defense lawyers said he had no information on the matter. The judge then issued a contempt of court show cause notice to the Adiala jail superintendent. He asked the official to explain why a sentence of six months imprisonment should not be imposed for the repeated non compliance.
After taking this step, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra adjourned the hearing until Tuesday. The court made it clear that orders regarding production of accused and supply of legal documents must be followed without delay. The case remains under active scrutiny as the bail applications of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha continue to be examined. Legal circles are watching the developments closely because the rights of the accused and the accountability of prison authorities are both at stake.
