Judge Afzal Majoka adjourns 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 archive
The Additional District and Sessions Court on Thursday heard the case against human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and activist Hadi Ali Chattha for their controversial tweets. The hearing was conducted by Additional Sessions and District 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 vacated the non-bailable arrest warrants previously issued against the two accused.
Read: Repeated postponements harm Imaan and Hadi’s court proceedings
Seeking more time to hire legal representation, Mazari asked the court to allow him to appoint his lawyer. Judge Majoka ordered him to submit his power of attorney by Saturday. Mazari expressed concern about the pace of the process and said the rapid processing of the case violated his rights. “We are being punished for telling the truth,” he told the court, also requesting that the charges be formally read.
Responding to his comments, Judge 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
Meanwhile, Chattha told the court that his lawyer had arrived and requested that the State’s lawyer withdraw. Justice Majoka clarified that the court had not appointed the State’s lawyers, adding that only the committee responsible for the appointment could remove them. He instructed that the prosecutor’s arguments on the matter be presented on Saturday, after which the court will make a decision.
The court then adjourned the proceedings until Saturday.
