An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) was informed on Thursday that the Ministry of Law had issued a notification authorising the next hearing of the case against lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to be held at Adiala Jail.
The case, registered at Aabpara police station over the alleged removal of security barriers, was adjourned until Friday. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra had earlier directed lawyers and witnesses to attend the next proceedings at the jail.
During Thursday’s hearing, Imaan and Hadi appeared through video link, while their lawyers, Eamil Khan Mandokhail and Riasat Ali Azad, attended the court in person.
Mandokhail submitted an affidavit alleging that prison authorities had failed to provide a confidential meeting with his clients despite explicit court directions.
According to the affidavit, the lawyer obtained a certified copy of the relevant court order at 2:52pm on Tuesday and arrived at Adiala Jail at 3:50pm. However, he said he was made to wait approximately an hour before being allowed to meet the couple at 4:45pm.
The meeting lasted just 25 minutes, ending at 5:10pm.
Mandokhail alleged that the consultation took place in a conference room rather than a private space and that the conversation was recorded. He further claimed that prison personnel remained close enough to hear the discussion.
The lawyer said two female constables stayed with Imaan throughout the meeting, while male officers stood outside an open door.
He also alleged that jail officials prevented him from delivering copies of case documents to his clients, despite his request to do so.
Describing these arrangements as inconsistent with the court’s instructions and the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, Mandokhail maintained that the restrictions had interfered with the accused persons’ ability to prepare their defence.
The affidavit also highlighted the couple’s repeated complaints that they had not received the relevant case documents before or after charges were framed against them.
Addressing reports that the accused had refused to participate in proceedings, Mandokhail said Imaan and Hadi had explicitly denied boycotting their trial.
Instead, he said, they were seeking physical appearances because recurring audio and internet problems during video-link hearings made it difficult to follow proceedings and communicate effectively with their legal representatives.
Mandokhail further informed the court that his clients had instructed him to challenge all court orders issued in the case.
The proceedings are scheduled to resume on Friday at Adiala Jail, with the defence continuing to raise concerns about access to legal documents, confidential consultations and the conduct of the trial.