ISLAMABAD – An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday returned bail applications filed by rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in the Kohsar police station protest case because the required vakalatnamas (powers of attorney) had not been submitted.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra heard the case and issued notices to Adiala Jail authorities on a separate petition filed by the legal team of Mazari and Chattha, seeking an explanation for the failure to provide the signed vakalatnamas.
The lawyers told the court that Adiala Jail officials had refused to have the accused sign the vakalatnamas, preventing them from formally filing the bail applications.
The judge asked the lawyers whether the vakalatnamas had been duly verified. Lawyer Zainab Janjua said she had visited Adiala Jail officials twice on Friday and Saturday, but was told that the documents would be processed later.
Janjua argued that both accused were in the custody of the court and had a fundamental right to engage legal counsel.
Another lawyer, Asif Tamboili, said Mazari’s mother was also present in the courtroom and could verify the matter if required.
Judge Supra said the court could not entertain bail applications without the required signatures. Tamboili requested the court to retain the vakalatnamas and arrange their verification itself.
The judge observed that legal procedures should not be set aside when lawyers become involved and said the court would seek clarification from the jail authorities over why the documents had not been signed and provided.
He also questioned the prosecutor about why the prescribed procedure was not being followed.
During the hearing, Dr Shireen Mazari alleged that Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha had been arrested from the office of the Adiala Jail deputy superintendent (legal) and subjected to violence during their arrest.
She urged the court to take action and questioned why the accused were not being allowed to sign their vakalatnamas.
The court subsequently issued notices to Adiala Jail authorities and sought their response by September 24.
Dr Shireen Mazari and lawyers Raja Zahid, Aimal, Asif Tamboili and Zainab Janjua attended the hearing, while Imaan Mazari’s mother was also present in the courtroom.
