ISLAMABAD (MNN); A district court in Islamabad on Thursday revoked the bail of lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in a case linked to controversial social media posts, citing repeated non-appearances and disorderly courtroom proceedings.
The case has been registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, in which the accused are alleged to have promoted linguistic divisions through social media and portrayed the armed forces as being involved in terrorism within the country.
The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammed Afzal Majoka, while Prosecutor Rana Usman represented the state.
At the start of the proceedings, neither of the accused appeared before the court. An assistant counsel sought exemption for Mazari, informing the court that Chattha was busy in a contempt-related matter before the high court.
The court expressed displeasure over their absence and observed that the exemption plea would be taken up later. Judge Majoka warned that continued non-appearance could result in the cancellation of the accused’s right to cross-examine prosecution witnesses, before adjourning the hearing until noon.
When the proceedings resumed, Chattha appeared and informed the court that Mazari intended to personally cross-examine prosecution witness Shahroz. The judge directed the defence to proceed with the cross-examination, cautioning that failure to do so would lead to the termination of that right.
Later, Islamabad District Bar Association President Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar appeared before the court and requested that the hearing be rescheduled for Monday, assuring that no further adjournments would be sought. He told the court that Mazari was unwell but still wished to conduct the cross-examination herself.
The prosecution opposed the request and urged the court to immediately administer the oath to the witness and begin cross-examination.
The situation escalated when a heated exchange took place between the bar president and the prosecutor, creating chaos in the courtroom. Following the disturbance, Judge Majoka left the bench and ordered a temporary break.
After proceedings resumed, neither Mazari nor Chattha appeared again. The prosecutor alleged misconduct and raised concerns over the conduct of the bar association leadership.
In view of the circumstances, the court cancelled the bail of both accused, ordered their arrest and production before the court, and formally revoked their right to cross-examine witnesses. The court also directed that statements of the accused be recorded under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The hearing was adjourned till Friday.
