Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court granted a three-day physical remand of prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Advocate on Tuesday. It reported in media that the court order was issued by Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain, who had earlier reserved his decision on the matter. A case was registered against both advocates under anti-terrorism charges, and they were presented in court today. Representing Imaan Mazari were Advocate Zainab Janjua and Ahsan Pirzada, while the prosecution was led by Raja Naveed. The prosecutor requested a 30-day remand, stating that despite being stopped, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha continued their illegal actions and repeatedly breached security, putting international teams at risk.

Furthermore, the prosecutor emphasized the need for forensic analysis of video evidence involving both advocates, adding that two people seen accompanying them in the footage also need to be apprehended. The couple was detained by Islamabad's Aabpara Police after a confrontation at Zero Point three days back on October 25, where a police checkpoint had been set up for the England cricket team’s security route. A video surfaced showing Imaan Mazari's husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, allegedly assaulting a traffic police officer at the checkpoint and removing obstacles on the road. Reports suggest that the incident began when Imaan Mazari attempted to remove police barricades, leading to an argument and intervention by her husband. Hadi Ali Chattha then allegedly resorted to physically attacking the police officer.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan