ATC orders Imaan, Hadi to record their statements in security breach case

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday directed human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Hazir-Mazari and her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha, to record their statements under Section 342 (power to examine the accused) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) at the next hearing in the security breach case. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who conducted the proceedings at Adiala jail, adjourned the hearing until Oct 26 after both accused declined to record their statements during Saturday’s proceedings. Imaan and her husband, Hadi, are facing a jail trial in a 2024 case pertaining to the alleged disruption of an international cricket team’s security route and incitement to public unrest. The couple, accused of removing barriers from the route, was indicted on October 7.

“Let the state counsel record the statement under Section 342 on our behalf,” Hadi requested the court on Saturday. However, the judge replied that recording statements under Section 342 was a matter between the court and the accused, adding that they would have to respond themselves. “We will not record the statement under Section 342,” Imaan stated. The judge warned that if the accused did not comply, the court would mention in its order that no response had been submitted. He directed the couple to record their statements at the next hearing, adjourning the case till Oct 26 (Monday). At the last hearing, a state-appointed counsel had cross-examined all prosecution witnesses. The court appointed Atif Mehmood as the state counsel to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, replacing Taimoor Janjua, who was dismissed from the case over his past conduct. The court had ruled to…