ATC orders jail meetings for Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha with lawyers

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard the case, during which Dr Shireen Mazari appeared along with Advocate Riasat Ali Azad and Advocate Aimal Khan. The court directed that Riasat Ali Azad, Zainab Janjua and Aimal Khan be allowed to meet Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in jail.

During the hearing, Riasat Ali Azad argued that the case could not proceed without meetings between the lawyers and their clients. Judge Sipra observed that the anti-terrorism law required trials to be conducted on a day-to-day basis.

He asked the prosecution how many witnesses remained to be examined, to which the prosecutor replied that nine witnesses were yet to be presented. The judge directed the prosecution to ensure that the accused were given access to their lawyers, stressing that such meetings had to be facilitated.

During the proceedings, Hadi Ali Chattha questioned why he and Imaan Mazari were not being produced before the court, saying that the situation was contrary to the principles of a fair trial. He said he had been in jail for eight months and did not understand how he could effectively pursue his case under the circumstances.

Chattha also raised concerns about meetings with lawyers being held in areas equipped with cameras, questioning how confidential communication between a lawyer and a client could take place in such conditions. He maintained that the court should decide whether he and Mazari were guilty of the charges and urged that they be produced before it.

The court adjourned further proceedings until October 14. The case concerns allegations linked to the removal of security barriers during the visit of an international cricket team. In earlier proceedings, the court formally framed charges against Mazari and Chattha despite defence objections over access to legal counsel and copies of case documents.