APP
An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday began recording witness statements in the barricade removal case in the absence of lawyer Imaan Mazari, her husband Hadi Ali Chattha and their counsel after they boycotted the proceedings.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra heard the case, in which Eemal Khan Mandokhail appeared as counsel for Imaan and Hadi. “We went to Adiala Jail yesterday, but could not meet them,” Mandokhail told the court.
He said the previous day had been designated for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyers to meet inmates, but roads had been blocked about one-and-a-half kilometres from the jail.
He added that they had requested a meeting in accordance with a court order but had been unable to meet their clients. A court official informed the judge that jail authorities had said the accused would be produced via video link.
Mandokhail requested the court to ensure the physical appearance of Imaan and Hadi.
Judge Supra said reports from the police and jail authorities had been received, adding that they had reported there was no special vehicle available to bring the accused to court that day. Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kiyani requested the court to record the witnesses’ statements. The judge said the statements could be recorded that day and the question of cross-examination could be considered afterwards.
Imaan, Hadi and their lawyers subsequently boycotted the proceedings. “We request the court to call us into the courtroom,” Hadi said.
Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari called for their privacy to be respected, saying that everything was recorded in the room where meetings took place.
Mandokhail said he had received no directions regarding the recording of witness statements. He requested that the lawyers be allowed to meet their clients before the statements were recorded.
“The court has said that all stakeholders must be satisfied,” Hadi said, adding that the accused were the biggest stakeholders and that their participation was a legal right.
When a witness began recording his testimony, the lawyers and Shireen left the courtroom. Imaan and Hadi also left after the lawyers’ departure.
The testimony of a traffic police employee was being recorded in their absence. At the previous hearing on October 13, the ATC directed jail authorities to facilitate meetings between Imaan, Hadi and their legal team, after the lawyers said they had been unable to meet the couple at Adiala Jail.
Hadi also raised concerns about the confidentiality of lawyer-client meetings, saying cameras had been installed in the meeting areas, and questioned how they could defend themselves without access to their lawyers.