In Islamabad’s District and Sessions Court, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, have decided to challenge the indictment stage in the controversial tweet case, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the couple’s lawyers sought time from the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. The judge accepted the request and adjourned proceedings until October 7.
Both Mazari and Chattha were present in court when the indictment was read aloud but refrained from either admitting or denying the charges.
Hadi Ali Chattha told the court that they would respond after consulting with their legal team. He added that a new application regarding their documents was still pending, and until a decision was made on it, charges could not formally be framed.
Tight security was in place outside the courtroom during the couple’s appearance. Their legal team included prominent lawyers such as Riasat Ali Azad, District Bar President Naeem Gujar, and former District Bar President Qaiser Imam.
Qaiser Imam argued that the court had dictated an order on a miscellaneous application concerning Section 161 statements and other documents.
He noted that the prosecution initially denied knowledge of the written statements but later provided them once the order was being recorded.
He added that Mazari and Chattha had already applied to the NCCIA for certified copies of their written submissions, forming the basis of the defence request for more time.
It is pertinent to mention that a day earlier, the same court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Mazari and Chattha after they failed to appear following a recess during Tuesday’s proceedings.
The court subsequently cancelled their bail and instructed Islamabad police to arrest them and present them in court on Wednesday morning.
During those proceedings, prosecutor Usman Rana represented the state, while Attaullah Kundi and others appeared for the defence. The trial formally began earlier that day when Judge Majoka framed charges against the couple.
Although they were absent during the indictment, their assisting counsel confirmed their initial presence, explaining that they had left to attend another hearing in Rawalpindi.
The charge sheet, spanning seven pages, included the names of four prosecution witnesses, including Sub-Inspector Shehroz Riaz, Waseem Khan, Technical Assistant Anees Rehman, and Assistant Director Imran Haider, all from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The indictment also contained the text of several tweets allegedly posted by Imaan Mazari, submitted as evidence by the prosecution.
Reporter: Hashir Warriach