News Desk
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) order that granted a three-day physical remand to human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali. This decision was reached by a division bench consisting of Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz during a hearing on a petition filed by their lawyer, Qaiser Imam.
The prosecution had requested an extended remand of 30 days, citing safety concerns due to the presence of international guests in the country. However, the defense team challenged the necessity for such a lengthy remand, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the incident did not warrant it. After deliberating on the arguments presented by both sides, the IHC overturned the ATC’s decision, ordered authorities to submit a report, and adjourned the case until Thursday.
Previously, the ATC in Islamabad had placed Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha in police custody for three days on terrorism charges. Their arrest followed a confrontation with traffic police, who had blocked roads to secure the movement of the English cricket team during their ongoing Test series in Pakistan. The couple was accused of interfering with government protocol, which led to their detention under various provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Pakistan Penal Code.
Imaan Mazari was represented by advocates Zainab Janjua and Ahsan Pirzada, who opposed the extended detention. The charges stem from allegations made by the Islamabad police, asserting that their actions constituted a security threat during the cricket team’s visit. The Aabpara police detained the couple for allegedly obstructing official duties, raising concerns about public safety
