Islamabad High Court Suspends Remand of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Husband in Terrorism Case
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday suspended the physical remand of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Abdul Hadi Ali Chatta in a terrorism case involving allegations of creating a security risk. The two were detained in Islamabad after allegedly interfering with road blockades set up for the England cricket team’s protocol.
The IHC’s two-member bench, consisting of Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, issued a notice to the Islamabad Capital Territory police and requested a response on Thursday. The couple’s initial three-day physical remand, ordered by an anti-terrorism court (ATC), was challenged, leading to the suspension.
The FIR filed by Sub-Inspector Tanveer Athar cites Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Sections 186, 148, 149, 353, and Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) Section 7, linking the case to charges of public obstruction, rioting, intimidation, and criminal conspiracy. The FIR alleges that Mazari removed security barriers and provoked bystanders, while Chatta joined, allegedly threatening and assaulting a police officer.
Key Information Table
Heading | Details |
---|---|
Court Decision | Remand suspended by IHC |
Individuals Involved | Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Abdul Hadi Ali Chatta |
Incident Location | Islamabad |
Reason for Detention | Alleged interference with state protocol |
Legal Provisions in FIR | PPC Sections 186, 148, 149, 353, ATA Section 7 |
Complaint Filed By | Sub-Inspector Tanveer Athar |
Charges | Security risk, criminal intimidation, conspiracy |
Court Bench | Chief Justice Aamir Farooq, Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz |
The suspension of remand highlights the ongoing legal process and scrutiny of anti-terrorism laws in such cases, with the court awaiting a formal police response.