An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad ruled that lawyers must be permitted to meet Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha while they are in prison. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra issued the order for Riasat Ali Azad, Zainab Janjua and Aimal Khan to visit the detainees in jail.
The court heard a case regarding the removal of security barriers against Mazari and Chattha, following an indictment issued by the ATC earlier this week. Authorities registered the case at Aabpara Police Station after alleging that Mazari and Chattha posed a security risk by interfering in state affairs during an international cricket team visit in October 2024.
Mazari and Chattha appeared before the court via video link while Shireen Mazari, Riasat Ali Azad and Aimal Khan attended in person. Chattha argued that the situation undermined their right to a fair trial because they were not being produced in court, noting they had been imprisoned for eight months.
Chattha also raised concerns that cameras were installed during previous meetings with lawyers in prison, asking, "How can a lawyer and client communicate under these circumstances?" Riasat Ali Azad asked the court, "If we cannot meet Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali, how are we supposed to take the case forward?"
Judge Supra expressed surprise over discrepancies in a report from Adiala Jail authorities regarding the production of Mazari through video link. The court noted that Mazari appeared via video link on 10 October in the barrier-removal case, but Adiala Jail authorities cited a lack of internet connectivity as the reason for being unable to produce him in another case on that same day.
The judge directed the prosecutor to ensure the accused were given access to lawyers and ordered authorities to produce Mazari via video link on 19 October in the Ali Wazir case. Defence counsel stated they would challenge the 10 October order before the Islamabad High Court before the court adjourned the hearing until 14 October 2026.
