Judge Afzal Majoka adjourned the hearing until Saturday as Mazari seeks time to appoint a lawyer
Human rights lawyer and social activist Imaan Mazari 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.
Both Mazari and Chattha appeared in court where lawyer Samiullah Wazir filed the power of attorney on behalf of Chattha. During the proceedings, the court canceled the arrest warrants previously issued against the two accused.
Read: Repeated evictions mar Imaan, Hadi trial
Seeking more time to hire legal representation, Mazari petitioned the court to allow her to appoint her lawyer. Judge Majoka ordered her to submit her attorney’s power of attorney by Saturday. Mazari expressed concern over the pace of proceedings, saying the speedy processing of the case violated their rights. “We are being punished for telling the truth,” she told the court, further requesting that the charges be formally read out.
Reacting to her remarks, Justice Majoka said the court had already read the charges three times in the presence of lawyers.
Read more: Imaan Mazari’s husband arrested in ‘controversial’ tweet case
Chattha, meanwhile, told the court that his lawyer had arrived and requested that the public prosecutor be withdrawn. Justice Majoka clarified that the court had not appointed the Attorney General, adding that only the committee responsible for the appointment could remove them. He ordered that arguments on the state attorney’s case be presented on Saturday, after which the court would make a decision.
The court then adjourned further proceedings until Saturday.
