ATC Judge Demands Police Docs in Bail Hearing
In Islamabad, an anti‑terrorism court judge expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the investigating officer and the police’s failure to produce the case record during bail petitions filed by lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari‑Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. The judge summoned the deputy superintendent of police and demanded the original documents, threatening to send both the DSP and the superintendent of police to jail for six months if the required record was not produced. The hearing was adjourned until October 13, with the court ordering the police to bring the original evidence to the courtroom.
ATC courts handle cases involving the Anti‑Terrorism Act and are known for their strict procedures. Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court have previously intervened in the couple’s case, suspending a 17‑year sentence imposed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The protest‑related charges stem from an incident outside the High Court where the couple allegedly manhandled a bar association president, leading to widespread criticism from rights groups and legal professionals.
This episode highlights the tension between law enforcement accountability and judicial independence in Pakistan. The judge’s insistence on original documentation underscores the importance of procedural integrity, while the repeated arrests of the couple raise concerns about the protection of protest rights and the potential for misuse of anti‑terrorism provisions.
