Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha’s Lawyers Boycott ATC Proceedings
Defence lawyers walk out after objecting to court proceedings conducted during their clients’ absence from a video link, while Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra dismisses an application seeking removal of terrorism-related provisions.
ISLAMABAD, October 10, 2026: A significant development emerged in the case against human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, concerning the alleged removal of security barriers, as their defence lawyers boycotted proceedings at an Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday.
The development followed objections raised by the defence over the continuation of judicial proceedings while both accused were unavailable through the jail’s video-link system. The court also dismissed an application seeking the removal of terrorism-related provisions from the case.
Defence Objects to Proceedings During Video-Link Absence
According to details of Saturday’s courtroom proceedings, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were not available through video link between approximately 11:20am and 11:50am.
During this period, the court continued its proceedings and dictated an order concerning the application seeking the deletion of terrorism-related provisions.
Advocate Zainab Janjua, representing the accused, objected to the proceedings being conducted in their absence and requested that her objection be formally incorporated into the judicial record.
She maintained that the court had proceeded with the matter without the participation of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, despite their involvement in the trial through video link.
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Reappear Around Noon
At approximately 12pm, the court arranged for both accused to be connected again through video link from jail.
During their appearance, Advocate Zainab Janjua informed Hadi Ali Chattha that judicial proceedings had taken place while they were unavailable.
She explained that the defence had submitted an application seeking the removal of terrorism-related provisions on the instructions of the accused.
Janjua subsequently informed Hadi that she had no further instructions from her clients to continue representing them in the proceedings at that stage.
Following the exchange, Janjua and other members of the defence team walked out of the courtroom, effectively boycotting the proceedings.
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha also left the jail’s video-link connection after placing their objections on record.
Court Rejects Request for Adjournment
During the hearing, the defence additionally requested an adjournment because Advocate Riasat Ali Azad was unavailable.
Janjua informed the court that the bar association president was unwell and that Riasat Ali Azad was attending to him.
She requested additional time to allow the defence team to participate in the proceedings.
However, the court rejected the adjournment request and continued with the matter.
Application to Remove Terrorism Provisions Dismissed
In another significant development, the court dismissed the application filed by Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha seeking deletion of the terrorism-related provisions from the case.
According to the courtroom account, the application was disposed of without the defence lawyers being heard on their substantive arguments at that stage or being granted additional time.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra observed that the request to remove terrorism-related provisions could not be entertained at the present stage of the proceedings.
The judge further stated that he did not have the legal authority to reconsider his earlier order through the application before him.
The decision means that the existing provisions remain part of the case at this stage. However, the rejection of the application does not, in itself, establish the guilt of either accused.
Previous Hearings and Case Background
The latest developments follow the formal indictment of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court on October 7, 2026.
The case concerns allegations that the two lawyers interfered with security arrangements by removing road barriers during the visit of an international cricket team to Islamabad.
The prosecution has alleged obstruction of official duties and interference with security arrangements. The allegations remain contested.
During the October 7 hearing, the defence also raised objections regarding the provision of case documents and access to legal counsel.
Advocate Zainab Janjua maintained that the accused had not received the required copies of the case record and that their lawyers had faced difficulties obtaining meetings with them.
Despite those objections, the court framed charges and summoned prosecution witnesses for the subsequent proceedings.
At the October 9 hearing, conducted before a duty judge in Judge Sipra’s absence, a request to postpone proceedings until the following week was also rejected, and the case was adjourned until Saturday.
Questions Over Participation and Fair Trial Procedures
Saturday’s hearing has brought renewed attention to the procedural questions raised by the defence, particularly the participation of accused persons through video link and their ability to remain informed of proceedings conducted in their absence.
The defence maintains that the absence of the accused during part of the hearing should be formally acknowledged in the judicial record.
The court, meanwhile, has maintained that the application for removal of terrorism-related provisions cannot be considered at the present procedural stage.
Any further challenge to the court’s decision would depend on the legal remedies available to the accused and their counsel.
The case remains under judicial consideration, and the allegations against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha have not been determined through a final judgment in these proceedings.
