ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Wednesday indicted lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a security breach case registered at Aabpara Police Station.
Mazari and Chattha appeared before the court through video link.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra framed charges against the couple for allegedly creating a security risk by interfering in state affairs during the visit of an international cricket team in October 2024.
The defence objected to the framing of charges.
Defence Objects to Framing of Charges
During the hearing, Chattha told the court that he had not received copies of the case documents.
“I have not even received the copies yet,” he said.
He argued that charges could not be framed until all legal requirements had been completed.
Defence counsel Zainab Janjua also argued that neither Mazari nor Chattha had received the required documents.
She said the lawyers had also not been allowed to meet the accused.
“The court cannot frame charges without fulfilling all legal requirements,” Janjua said.
Judge Sipra told the defence that it could challenge the decision.
The court also ordered authorities to produce Mazari and Chattha in person at the next hearing.
The court adjourned the case until October 9.
Couple Remains in Custody
Mazari and Chattha have been in custody since their arrest on January 23 in a case registered over a protest outside the Islamabad High Court.
A day later, a sessions court sentenced them to 17 years on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The case was related to controversial social media posts.
On September 17, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences after months of proceedings.
The court also granted them bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each until a final decision in the case pending before the Islamabad High Court.
However, Islamabad police arrested the couple again hours later in connection with another case and produced them before an ATC.
According to the FIR, Mazari and her husband were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads during a protest.
The latest case relates to allegations that they created a security risk during the visit of an international cricket team in October 2024.
