Human Rights lawyer and social activist Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo File
Lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha have filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking the transfer of their case, alleging a lack of transparency by Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka.
The petition was filed during the final hearing of the controversial tweets case at the District and Sessions Court. Mazari reportedly told the judge with a smile, “Give me the sentence of seven years, I am ready.” Judge Majoka did not respond.
Read: Trial against Imaan Mazari ‘not transparent,’ counsel tells IHC
During the session, the state counsel submitted final written arguments. Chattha, representing himself, filed an application requesting the submission of a statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He said the 342 statement is essentially the accused’s statement and submitted a list of witnesses, proposing they could testify online if required.
Chattha said that when witnesses were cross-examined, the state counsel received a questionnaire. “I did not rely upon it,” he added, noting that the questionnaire contained 33 questions which he and Mazari had requested time to answer. The court said no such request had been made. Chattha also claimed that the 342 response submitted by the state counsel did not belong to them.
He said that when they sought the order yesterday, no copy was provided. He added that the case has been heard five times and that three of their applications were dismissed.
Read More: Imaan Mazari objects to state counsel’s withdrawal from tweets case
The court issued notices to the prosecutor regarding Chattha’s application.
District Bar President Naeem Gujar, Islamabad Bar member Raja Aleem Abbasi, and former High Court Bar President Riyasat Ali Azad attended the hearing. Lawyers in court reportedly raised slogans, leading Judge Majoka to leave the courtroom.
The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
