ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has ordered the trial of human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to be held inside Adiala Jail in a case concerning the removal of barriers.
The Ministry of Law has issued a formal notification regarding the jail trial. The court has directed the lawyers and witnesses to appear at Adiala Jail for the next hearing and adjourned the proceedings until Friday.
The case was registered against Mazari and Chattha at Islamabad’s Aabpara Police Station. At the previous hearing on October 10, 2026, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra disposed of a petition filed by the couple seeking the removal of terrorism-related provisions from the case.
The judge observed that he could not take up the petition at that stage, adding that he was not authorised to review his earlier ruling. Following the decision, the couple’s counsel, Zainab Janjua and Aimal Khan, walked out of the courtroom in protest and boycotted the proceedings. Imaan Mazari’s mother, Dr Shireen Mazari, was also present at the hearing.
During the proceedings, Advocate Zainab Janjua informed the court that Islamabad Bar President Naeem Ali Gujjar was unwell, while her senior colleague, Advocate Riasat Ali Azad, was at the hospital attending to him. She also cited a report from jail authorities, claiming that Islamabad Police had failed to provide security for transporting Mazari and Chattha to court.
The lawyer questioned the prosecution’s position, arguing that the state was seeking statements from prosecution witnesses while allegedly failing to ensure the accused could safely attend court proceedings.
She maintained that the situation had deprived the couple of their right to a fair trial.
