ATC sends Imaan Mazari on judicial remand

On lawyer’s request, court orders activist be kept in Women PS till today

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday sent lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari on judicial remand and sought comments on her post-arrest bail petition in a case alleging that she had collected money for anti-state activities.

The lawyer had initially been granted bail by the ATC in another case registered against her for participating in a protest in the federal capital organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement. However, she was arrested only hours later by the Islamabad police on a first information report (FIR) registered at the Bara Kahu police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case wherein the accused was produced after the end of her three-day physical remand.

During the course of proceedings, the prosecutor prayed the court to grant further physical remand of the accused for investigation into the matter.

The court rejected the request, ordering to send Imaan to jail on judicial remand.

The court also sought comments from respondents till Sept 2 (today) on the bail petition of the accused. The court also allowed the family members of the accused to meet her.

Lawyer Qaiser Imam said that Imaan’s medical condition was deteriorating, requesting the court to keep her at Islamabad's Women police station.

The court ordered that Imaan would be kept in judicial custody at the Women police station in Islamabad till Saturday.

Read ATC sends Imaan Mazari on three-day physical remand

On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) restricted the authorities from taking Imaan out of the federal capital while she was under arrest.

Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb heard Imaan's plea seeking details of all disclosed or undisclosed cases against her.

Imaan's mother, former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and federal human rights minister, Shireen Mazari, appeared before the court along with her lawyers Salman Akram Raja and Qaiser Imam.

The petitioner's lawyers stated that it became necessary to file such a plea as two cases pertaining to terrorism and sedition were registered against Imaan. She was arrested in both the cases and acquired bail in both but as soon as she was released from Adiala jail, the renowned human rights lawyer was arrested in a third case, the counsels informed the court.

(With input from app)