October 29, 2024
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday, October 29, remanded human rights lawyers and activists Imaan Zainab Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali, in police custody for three days following their arrest on October 28.
The couple was arrested for allegedly obstructing police officials at a road barrier in the federal capital during a security lockdown for England’s cricket team. A video, shared on social media on October 25, purportedly showed Mazari and Ali moving road barriers to clear the path for traffic. In the video, traffic constables and a man in a jacket could be seen replacing the barriers to their original positions to close the road as the lawyers had made multiple attempts to remove them.
The couple was brought to the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) amid tight security. The two were presented before Judge Abu Al-Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain in connection with a terrorism case registered at the Abpara Police Station. Represented by Advocates Ahsan Pirzada and Zainab Janjua, Mazari and Ali heard the prosecutor outline the case details as police sought a 30-day physical remand.
During the hearing, Judge Zulqarnain questioned Prosecutor Raja Naveed on the specifics of the case and the need for a 30-day remand for Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali. Naveed explained that the incident occurred while England’s cricket team was in Pakistan, receiving state security. He alleged that Mazari and Ali had tried to remove police barriers set up for security purposes, with Mazari reportedly stating, “I am Imaan Mazari, the road does not belong to your father.” Naveed claimed that Ali then assaulted a traffic constable attempting to restore the barriers, allowing several motorcycles to pass through the blockade.
Mazari’s counsels challenged the terrorism charges, asserting that Mazari, who was heading to court, was hit by a barrier, with medical reports proving her injury. He argued that the case only warranted obstruction charges. The defence counsels criticized the police’s insistence on a lengthy remand, questioning the need for anti-terrorism provisions. Naveed defended the remand, citing the 2009 Sri Lankan cricket team attack as justification for heightened security. After reserving the decision, Judge Zulqarnain approved a three-day remand to allow further investigation and forensic testing.
‘Fabricated Case’
Outside the courtroom, Mazari maintained her innocence, asserting that the case was fabricated. She said, “The case should have been filed against the traffic police officer who assaulted me; my medical report confirms the assault.” Mazari further condemned the charges as indicative of a ‘fascist regime’.
Mazari’s counsel Ahsan Janjua told Voicepk that invoking anti-terrorism clauses seemed unreasonable in this instance.
“The offence of terrorism was illegally added in the FIR, and the court has empowered the police to go ahead with fabricated charges,” he told Voicepk, adding that the case against their clients amounted to persecution, not prosecution.
Shireen Mazari, former Federal Human Rights Minister, and mother of Imaan Mazari, complained about delayed access to the first information report (FIR), stating that neither the family, nor the prosecutor had received it promptly.
“What was the purpose of hiding the FIR? The only reason could be that it is in fact a joke,” she remarked. Shireen Mazari said that the traffic cop who had tortured her daughter had been let off scot free instead of having a terrorism case filed against him.
“Imaan and Hadi, arrested under terrorism charges, were made to appear in court handcuffs while the actual terrorists roamed free, making a mockery of the anti-terror law,” she said. “Citizens, political opponents, and peaceful protesters are being branded as ‘terrorists’ and are being handcuffed in the country.”
Journalist and friend of the couple, Asad Ali Toor criticised the authorities for denying access to Mazari and withholding her location, where she was being kept. “I have never seen the Islamabad police act so badly as in Mazari’s case in order to double agony suffered by her family,” he said.
Digital rights activist Farieha Aziz said that even Mazari and Ali’s legal team faced challenges in contacting their clients and were uncertain about the court proceedings until the last moment. “Police action towards Mazari and Ali was way beyond legal parameters,” she said.
The Islamabad police stated that Mazari and Ali were arrested for allegedly obstructing police officials during the international cricket team’s visit. The FIR charged the couple with offences filed under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, sections 503 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 353 (relating to assault or criminal force to deter public servant), 186 (relating to obstructing public servant), 148 (relating to rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (relating to unlawful assembly) and 120-B (relating to premeditated offence).