Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra appointed Atif Mahmood as the new state counsel for an Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) case. The court replaced the previous state counsel, Taimoor Janjua, following objections from the defense team.
Hadi Ali Chattha alleged that Janjua claimed to have received Rs500,000 to complete a cross-examination within a single day. Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha also raised concerns regarding the integrity of the previous appointment.
During the proceedings, the defense lawyer asked, "Are you the accused’s lawyer or are you against them?" The prosecution removed two witnesses from an original list of nine.
Judge Sipra ordered the prosecution to summon the witnesses again this Friday. The judge told Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, "Imaan and Hadi, if your lawyers do not cross-examine the witnesses tomorrow, the state counsel will do so."
The Islamabad ATC framed charges against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha on 7 October. Authorities rearrested Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha on 17 September.
A contempt notice was issued to the Adiala jail superintendent on 27 September. The ATC concluded the contempt proceedings against the jail authorities on 29 September.
The Islamabad High Court heard appeals from Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha on 19 October.
