ATC Reprimands Islamabad Police Over IO Absence in Imaan Mazari Bail Case

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday strongly reprimanded the local police over the absence of the investigating officer (IO) during the hearing of post-arrest bail petitions filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha. The couple was detained earlier this week on charges of interfering in government operations and creating security hazards.

During the proceedings, the ATC judge expressed severe displeasure over the prosecution’s failure to present the case record and the IO’s absence, noting that such delays infringe upon the constitutional rights of the accused. Defense counsel argued that the charges against the prominent human rights activist and her husband were politically motivated, stemming from a minor dispute regarding security barricades placed for the visiting international cricket team. The defense emphasized that keeping lawyers behind bars without presenting records is a violation of due process.

The arrest of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali has drawn widespread condemnation from national and international human rights organizations, legal fraternities, and civil society groups. Critics argue that the invocation of anti-terrorism laws for minor civic altercations reflects a growing trend of state high-handedness and the weaponization of security laws to suppress legal professionals and human rights defenders in Pakistan.

Adjourning the hearing to a later date, the court directed the Islamabad police chief to ensure the presence of the investigating officer along with the complete case record at the next session. The court warned that continued non-compliance would lead to strict disciplinary action against the responsible officers, with the bail petitions now scheduled for immediate review early next week.