Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, on Monday approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order refusing to suspend their trial before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in a security breach case.
The couple, through senior counsel Faisal Siddiqui, filed separate petitions alleging that the trial court had hastily recorded the testimony of six prosecution witnesses on October 10 and 14 despite their absence and that of their counsel.
The case concerns allegations of removing barriers along the security route of an international cricket team and inciting public unrest. The couple was indicted on October 7.
The petitions argued that recording evidence in their absence violated Section 353 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and their constitutional rights to due process and a fair trial.
They also challenged the decision to conduct proceedings inside jail and the appointment of state counsel.
pleas alleged that the prosecution was intended to undermine the Supreme Court’s order suspending their 17-year sentences in a controversial social media post case and prevent their release.
Imaan’s petition maintained that the IHC had wrongly refused interim relief despite alleged procedural violations, arguing that continuing the trial could cause irreparable harm and jeopardise her liberty.
The couple said their absence and their lawyers’ withdrawal from the rostrum were acts of protest and did not constitute a waiver of their right to be present during evidence recording.