Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali tweets case: Court issues contempt notice to Adiala jail superintendent

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court has issued a show-cause notice for contempt of court to the superintendent of Adiala Jail over the failure to obtain signatures on the power-of-attorney documents of lawyers representing Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, and the failure to produce the two accused through video link despite court orders.

Imaan and Chattha, were sent to jail on judicial remand on September 17 after being rearrested shortly after the Supreme Court ordered their release on bail.

The notice was issued by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Supra during a hearing on the non-submission of the lawyers’ powers of attorney. A large number of lawyers, including Mazari’s mother, Shireen Mazari, appeared before the court.

However, jail authorities neither provided the signed power-of-attorney documents nor sent an official to appear before the court. Mazari and Chattha were also not produced through video link as directed by the court.

Expressing displeasure, Judge Supra ordered the Adiala Jail superintendent to explain why he should not be sentenced to six months for contempt of court. The judge cautioned the superintendent against disregarding court orders, saying the jail administration should not put the courts or itself in a difficult position.

Lawyer Riasat Ali told the court that he was unaware whether the jail’s deputy superintendent had collected the power-of-attorney documents from the sessions court. He said, however, that he had submitted the documents to the sessions court for onward transmission to the jail in compliance with the court’s instructions. The serial numbers of the documents were also presented before the court.

Court staff informed the judge that jail authorities had not produced Mazari and Hadi through video link, citing internet connectivity problems.

Judge Supra noted that the jail authorities had repeatedly cited internet problems in another case. He said he had previously directed PTCL and NTC to send technical experts to the jail and had also ordered that experts be sent from Haripur to address the issue.

The judge stressed that receiving the power-of-attorney documents was a basic right of an accused.

The court subsequently issued the contempt show-cause notice to the Adiala Jail superintendent and adjourned the hearing until Tuesday.

Rearrest after Supreme Court relief

The development followed a Supreme Court ruling suspending the couple’s sentences and granting them bail until the Islamabad High Court (IHC) reaches a final decision in their case.

A two-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim granted bail to Mazari and Chattha against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each. The court directed that the suspension of their sentences would remain effective until the IHC delivers its final verdict.

The couple had been expected to leave Adiala Jail following the Supreme Court order. However, before their release formalities were completed, they were taken into custody again in connection with a separate case.

ATC rejects police remand request

Following their rearrest, Islamabad Police produced Mazari and Chattha before an anti-terrorism court, where investigators requested 30 days of physical remand for questioning.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain rejected the police request and instead ordered that the two lawyers be placed on judicial remand. They were subsequently taken back to Adiala Jail by Islamabad Police.

A separate case was registered against the couple at Kohsar Police Station. According to police sources, the case includes allegations relating to an anti-state narrative, incitement and interference in official duties.

The proceedings in this case are separate from the case in which the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and granted them bail.

Earlier 17-year sentences

The Supreme Court’s intervention came after an Islamabad district and sessions court sentenced Mazari and Chattha to 17 years in prison each on January 24 in a case linked to their social media posts.

The sentences were imposed under various provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

The Supreme Court subsequently suspended those sentences and granted the couple bail pending the IHC’s final decision. However, their release was followed by the separate arrest, leading to their production before the anti-terrorism court.

The Supreme Court’s order concerning the suspension of their sentences and bail remains applicable, while the proceedings arising from the Kohsar Police Station case continue separately.