Imaan, Wazir sent to Adiala Jail on 14-day remand

An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday sent human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir to Adiala Jail on 14-day judicial remand in a sedition case related to the controversial speech against the state institutions.

On Aug 19, two first information reports (FIR) were registered against Imaan and Wazir at the Tarnol police station and the Counter-Terrorism Department police station, following a rally of the PTM in the federal capital. Both were booked on the charges of sedition, preventing government officials from carrying out their duties and damaging public property.

During the proceedings, Imaan and Wazir were produced before ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain after a three-day physical remand.

“Voice matching and photogrammetry of Imaan Mazari and Ali Wazir have been completed,” Prosecutor Raja Naveed said, seeking an extension in their physical remand.

The investigation officer apprised the court that Imaan was given a piece of paper from which she made the speech. “She needs to be interrogated who gave her that piece of paper.”

ATC Judge Zulqarnain said that the decision would be made based on justice only. “Every possible due relief will be given,” he added.

Imaan’s counsel Safai Zainab Janjua prayed the court to hear her client’s bail plea. To this, the ATC judge remarked that the bail plea could not be heard today; however, he issued a notice of a hearing for Saturday.

ATC judge allowed Imaan to meet her mother, former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, in the courtroom and summoned parties on Aug 26 on Imaan’s bail application.

A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday granted bail and sent PTM leader Ali Wazir to jail on a 14-day judicial in a different case related to "interference in state affairs" and damaging public property registered after the PTM held its rally in Islamabad. (With input from news desk)