An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday dropped contempt of court proceedings against Adiala jail authorities after the vakalatnamas (powers of attorney) for human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were signed, while another ATC issued notices on their bail petitions in a case registered against them over a protest.
asserted
ATC → drop → protest
On Saturday, an ATC had issued a contempt of court notice to the Adiala jail superintendent for allegedly failing to facilitate the signing and transmission of vakalatnamas required to file bail petitions for Imaan and Chattha.
uncertain
ATC → issue → Imaan
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard a petition concerning the signing of the powers of attorney, with lawyers Riasat Ali Azad and others appearing on behalf of the two accused.
asserted
Azad → hear → two
During the hearing, the court directed the superintendent of Adiala jail to formulate rules governing the signing of powers of attorney by prisoners, observing that the process should not become an obstacle to access to justice.
“The superintendent is directed to formulate rules regarding vakalatnamas,” the judge said.
asserted
judge → direct → vakalatnamas
The court was informed that the powers of attorney of Imaan and Hadi had been signed.
asserted
powers → inform → Imaan
Subsequently, the judge dropped the contempt proceedings against the jail authorities and disposed of the petition.
asserted
judge → drop → petition
Expressing concern over the difficulties faced by lawyers in getting the necessary documents signed, Justice Sipra remarked: “If this is happening to lawyers, what must be happening to the vakalatnamas of ordinary litigants?”
asserted
what → express → litigants
Advocate Zainab told the court that the high court had established standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the process.
asserted
court → tell → process
She said the jail authorities should ensure that the procedure did not become a form of punishment for prisoners seeking legal representation.
asserted
procedure → say → representation
The judge observed that, in the past, vakalatnamas had sometimes been signed in holding cells or inside vehicles, adding that the introduction of SOPs had brought considerable improvement, although occasional problems persisted.
“The path to justice begins with the signing of the vakalatnama,” the judge remarked.
asserted
judge → observe → vakalatnama
In a separate proceeding, ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the bail petitions filed by Imaan and Hadi in a case registered against them at Kohsar police station in connection with a protest.
asserted
Zulqarnain → hear → protest
The court issued notices to the parties and directed them to present their arguments on the bail petitions on Oct 5.
asserted
court → issue → Oct
Meanwhile, former federal minister Shireen Mazari said Imaan and Hadi had been produced before the court after it was opened at night.
asserted
it → say → night
However, Judge Zulqarnain clarified that the court had not been opened at night and was already conducting proceedings.
asserted
court → clarify → proceedings
He said he had remained seated after being informed that a remand hearing was forthcoming.
asserted
hearing → say → ?
Imaan and Hadi were sentenced in January to 17 years on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in the controversial social media posts case.
asserted
Imaan → sentence → case
On Sept 18, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and ordered their release on bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each.
asserted
Court → suspend → Rs200,000
The SC ordered the couple’s release on bail pending the Islamabad High Court’s final verdict on their appeals against the trial court’s decision.
asserted
SC → order → decision
However, the reprieve was short-lived as hours later, Islamabad police arrested the couple again in connection with another case registered at the federal capital’s Kohsar police station on March 22 last year on the complaint of City Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Chandio.
asserted
police → live → Chandio
The police produced them before an ATC, which sent them to jail on judicial remand.
asserted
which → produce → remand
Imaan and her husband were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads and were nominated by name in the first information report.
asserted
Imaan → accuse → report
However, at the time of registration of the case, no section of the Anti-Terrorism Act had been added.
asserted
section → add → Act
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