IHC overturns physical remand of Imaan Mazari and husband

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) order granting a three-day physical remand to human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali.

The decision was made by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz during a hearing on a petition filed by their lawyer, Qaiser Imam, Express News reported.

The prosecutor had requested an extended remand of 30 days for further investigation, citing safety concerns related to international guests. However, the defence questioned the necessity of such a lengthy remand, especially given the circumstances of the incident.

After considering arguments from both sides, the IHC overturned the ATC's decision, instructed authorities to submit a report, and adjourned the case until Thursday.

Earlier, ATC in Islamabad placed lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chatha, in police custody on physical remand for three days.

The couple was arrested by the capital police on terrorism charges after a confrontation with traffic police, who had barricaded the area to secure the movement of the English cricket team.

They were accused of interfering with government protocol, leading to their detention under various sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Pakistan Penal Code.

Imaan Mazari was represented by advocates Zainab Janjua and Ahsan Pirzada, who opposed the extended detention.

The charges against the couple fall under terrorism-related laws, following claims from the Islamabad police that their actions posed a security risk during the recent visit of an international cricket team.

Specifically, the Aabpara police detained them for interfering with official duties, which led to concerns about public safety.

Reports indicate that Imaan Mazari has been transferred to the women's police station as the investigation continues.

The couple's arrest has drawn attention, especially given the context of the ongoing Test series, which featured the English cricket team playing in Pakistan.

Both Imaan Mazari and her husband are now facing legal scrutiny as authorities assess the implications of their alleged interference during a high-profile sporting event.