Judge Afzal Majoka adjourns hearing until Saturday as Mazari seeks time to appoint lawyer
Imaan Mazari, human rights lawyer and social activist, and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo file
The Additional District and Sessions Court on Thursday heard the case against human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and activist Hadi Ali Chattha over their controversial tweets. The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka.
Mazari and Chattha appeared in court, where lawyer Samiullah Wazir submitted the power of attorney on Chattha’s behalf. During the proceedings, the court quashed the non-bailable arrest warrants previously issued against the two accused.
Read: Repeated postponements of the Imaan and Hadi trials
Seeking more time to engage legal representation, Mazari asked the court to allow him to appoint his attorney. Judge Majoka ordered him to submit his attorney’s power of attorney by Saturday. Mazari expressed concern about the pace of the proceedings, saying the rapid handling of the case violated their rights. “We are being punished for telling the truth,” she told the court, further demanding that the charges be formally read.
Responding to her remarks, Justice Majoka said the court had already read out the charges three times in the presence of lawyers.
Learn more: Imaan Mazari’s husband arrested in ‘controversial’ tweet case
Chattha, meanwhile, told the court that his lawyer had arrived and requested that the state’s attorney be removed. Justice Majoka clarified that the court had not appointed the public prosecutor, adding that only the commission responsible for the appointment could dismiss him. He asked that arguments regarding the state’s attorney be presented Saturday, after which the court will make a decision.
The court then adjourned further proceedings until Saturday.
