ATC directs Imaan and Hadi to record statements in security breach case

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday directed human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Hazir-Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to record their statements under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who conducted the hearing at Adiala jail, adjourned the proceedings until October 26 after both accused refused to record their statements.

The couple is standing trial in a 2024 case related to the alleged disruption of an international cricket team's security route and incitement to public disorder. They were indicted in the case on October 7.

During Saturday's hearing, Hadi told the court that he wanted the state counsel to record his statement on his behalf.

However, the judge clarified that the statements had to be made by the accused themselves. Imaan also refused to record her statement.

The court told the couple that their refusal would be mentioned in its order and directed them to record their statements at the next hearing.

Earlier, state counsel Atif Mehmood cross-examined the prosecution witnesses after being appointed to replace Taimoor Janjua.

In this regard, on Saturday, the defence made an application before the trial court, which sought the trial court not to pronounce its final verdict until the Islamabad High Court disposed of the petition for shifting of the case to some other court.

It was mentioned in the application that the petition for shifting of the case is pending with the IHC, and accordingly, such a development should be entered in the record of the trial court.

It was further mentioned in the application by the defence that the appointment of the state counsel had also been challenged at the Islamabad High Court.