ATC replaces state counsel on objection

An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday replaced state counsel Taimoor Janjua, who had been appointed to represent lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in a case concerning the removal of barriers and alleged interference in official duties, after the two defendants objected to his appointment.

Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who heard the case at Adiala Jail, accepted an application filed by Imaan and Hadi challenging Janjua's appointment and appointed Atif Mahmood as the new state counsel.

During the hearing, Imaan said Janjua had previously been appointed as state counsel in their case. Hadi alleged that Janjua had told people he had received Rs500,000 and completed the cross-examination in a single day.

"Are you the accused's lawyer or are you against them?" their lawyer asked Janjua.

Janjua responded, "Come with me to any private case outside, and you will find out whether I work or not."

Judge Sipra expressed displeasure over Janjua's conduct and asked, "Has no one ever taught you how to appear in court?"

Imaan told the court that they did not need a state counsel because they had their own lawyers. Hadi added that their lawyers were occupied with other cases at the high court while the ATC was conducting daily hearings.

The prosecution had initially submitted a list of nine witnesses but later dropped two, leaving seven witnesses in the case. Statements from all seven prosecution witnesses had been recorded, and the court had summoned them for cross-examination.