ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday extended the judicial remand of lawyer Imaan Zainab Hazir-Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, for 14 more days in a case linked to a lawyers’ protest at Constitution Avenue.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, presiding over the hearing, marked the couple’s attendance via video link from Adiala Jail after the prosecution cited the prevailing law-and-order situation, which made their physical production difficult. The next hearing has been scheduled for February 19.
The couple, already sentenced to a combined 17 years in prison in a separate case over controversial social media posts, were arrested last month while leaving the Islamabad High Court.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court issued a written order on a petition filed by Dr Shireen Mazari concerning the couple’s denied visitation rights following their conviction.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir noted that the petitioner had not approached the relevant administrative forum and converted the petition into an application, forwarding it to the Adiala jail superintendent for an expeditious decision in accordance with prison rules.
The high court clarified that disputes regarding prisoner facilities must first be addressed through administrative channels before initiating judicial proceedings.
