Islamabad, October 5,2026: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday adjourned until October 13 the hearing of bail applications filed by Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case involving terrorism charges and alleged violation of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The hearing was adjourned after the investigating officer (IO) failed to appear before the court.
ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain expressed displeasure over the officer’s absence and said he would issue an order regarding the matter.
The proceedings took an unusual turn when a court official initially informed the judge that the IO was “out”. When the judge asked where the officer was, he directed officials to summon the relevant deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in person.
“Verbal statements will not be accepted,” the judge observed.
The court briefly adjourned, after which the DSP appeared with a report. He told the judge that the IO was in Gilgit-Baltistan and that his phone was switched off.
The DSP said it could take “10 to 15 days” to establish contact with the officer.
“Until we are able to contact him, I cannot give out information,” he told the court.
The explanation further angered the judge, who expressed displeasure over what he termed incorrect information initially provided to the court.
The judge also directed security personnel to ensure that the DSP did not leave the court premises without permission.
He ordered handcuffs to be brought into the courtroom and instructed the security in-charge to arrest the official if he attempted to leave after an order to that effect.
Addressing defence counsel, Judge Zulqarnain said, “There should be a judicial force so that the court can have its orders implemented immediately.”
Referring to the existing judicial system, he remarked that “the system of 1898 and 1860 is still being followed.”
At the start of the hearing, petitioners’ counsel Riasat Ali Azad argued that all sections included in the first information report (FIR), except the terrorism provision, were bailable.
He also reminded the court that the prosecution’s request for physical remand of Imaan and Chattha had previously been rejected.
“This is a bail case, and the sections invoked are bailable,” Azad said, adding that he was prepared to present detailed arguments if required.
The lawyer later questioned the prosecution’s handling of the case and alleged mala fide intent.
“Look how old this FIR is,” he said, accusing the authorities of making “a mockery of the courts”.
Another defence counsel, Zafar Khokhar, questioned the IO’s handling of the case record.
“It does not work like this, that the IO takes the case record with him,” he said.
Azad maintained that the court did not necessarily have to wait for the case record to proceed with the bail applications. He also reminded the court that it had already granted time until Monday for the matter to be taken up.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until October 13, with the judge indicating that he would issue a detailed order regarding the IO’s absence.
Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha were rearrested on September 17, shortly after the Supreme Court granted them bail and suspended their sentences in a separate case concerning social media posts.
They were produced before the Islamabad ATC in connection with a case registered at Kohsar Police Station.
Police had sought 30-day physical remand, but Judge Zulqarnain rejected the request and sent the couple on judicial remand. The judge noted that although they had been nominated in the FIR as members of an unlawful assembly, no weapon had been attributed to either accused.
On September 27, the court issued a contempt notice to the superintendent of Adiala Jail after authorities failed to facilitate the signing and transmission of documents and did not produce the accused through video link.
The matter was resolved two days later after Imaan and Chattha signed the required powers of attorney.
On September 29, the ATC ended the contempt proceedings against the jail authorities and separately confirmed that notices had been issued on the couple’s bail applications, with arguments scheduled before Judge Zulqarnain.
