October 7, 2026
By Hashir Ahsan
ISLAMABAD
A significant development has emerged in the ‘barrier removal case’ at the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), where Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra rejected all objections during the hearing and framed charges against Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chatha.
During the court hearing, Dr. Shireen Mazari, defense counsel Aimal Khan Mandokhail, Zainab Janjua, and others appeared before the court, while Prosecutor Raja Naveed was also present in court.
Tense mood in court
Harsh words were exchanged between the lawyers and the judge especially during the beginning of the hearing.
Defense lawyer Zainab Janjua raised a strong objection, saying that despite the court order, they had not been allowed to meet their clients, and she kept waiting outside the jail for at least two hours. She argued that copies of the case had also not been provided to Imaan and Hadi, so charges could not be framed until all legal requirements were fulfilled.
Zainab Janjua requested that, like other prisoners, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha should also be produced in court in person. Judge Sipra said that he had recieved the reports from the jail administration. During the hearing, the accused lawyers were presented in court via video link, where first Hadi Ali Chatha and then a short while later Imaan Mazari appeared on video.
A formal discussion took place between Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, the accused, and their lawyer Zainab Janjua. The judge inquired about Hadi’s health and also about Imaan’s well being. In the meantime, lawyer Zainab Janjua informed Hadi and then Imaan that despite waiting for two hours outside the jail, and not being able to meet them, she had filed two applications – one regarding postponing the framing of charges, and the second regarding the provision of case copies to her clients.
Hadi Ali Chatha also confirmed to the court that they have not yet received copies of the case, and framing charges against them without them having case copies was against legal requirements.
The judge informed the accused that he has ordered the jail authorities to produce both of them in court in person at the next hearing.
Charges framed despite objections
Despite all objections that were raised, Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra read out the charges against the two accused, which included removing security barriers as well as the use of brass knuckles.
When the lawyers objected, the judge told Zainab Janjua that if she is not satisfied with this decision, she can challenge it in a higher court. After framing charges, the court summoned the prosecution witnesses in the case and adjourned the hearing of the case until October 9, ordering that Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha be produced in court in their personal capacity at the next hearing.
Voicepk obtained the details of the charge sheet against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, according to which there are seven charges against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha.
Charge: Removal of barriers
On October 25, 2024, at approximately 4:40 AM, within the jurisdiction of Aabpara Police Station, Islamabad, at the police picket established on Faisal Avenue, Zero Point opposite ZTBL, the accused arrived along with two to three unknown associates. The charges stated that they removed the barriers placed by the police for the protection and security of the international cricket team’s route. When the police personnel present on location explained the situation and tried to stop them, the accused verbally abused the police personnel, hurled threats, and attacked Constable Ibraheemi Khan (3652/C). In this way, the police personnel which was engaged in the discharge of official duties, was obstructed, which is an offense punishable under Section 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code and falls within the jurisdiction of this court.
Charge: Attack on police personnel
On the same day, time, and place, the accused attacked and charged at police personnel performing their official duties and prevented them from performing their duties, which is an offense punishable under Section 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code and falls within the jurisdiction of the court.
Charge: Threats to police personnel on duty
On the same day, time, and place, the accused, armed under a common object with the other co-accused, threatened police personnel on duty with dire consequences and committed intimidation (fear and terror), which is an offense punishable under Section 506(ii) of the Pakistan Penal Code and falls within the jurisdiction of the court.
Charge: Rioting
On the same day, time, and place, the accused, under a common object, and armed, formed an unlawful assembly, attacked the police party, and committed rioting/disorder, which is an offense punishable under Section 148 of the Pakistan Penal Code and falls within the jurisdiction of the court.
Charge: Unlawful assembly
On the same day, time, and place, the accused, for the accomplishment of a common object with the co-accused, armed in the form of an unlawful assembly, attacked the police party, which is an offense punishable under Section 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and falls within the jurisdiction of the court.
Charge: Inciting an act of terrorism
The accused and co-accused removed barriers placed for the movement security of the international cricket team so that an act of terrorism could occur, and he accused also attacked police personnel, which is an offense punishable under Section 120-B of the Pakistan Penal Code and falls within the jurisdiction of the court.
Charge: Inciting fear and panic; facilitating terrorism
The accused committed the above offenses with the purpose and objective of creating fear, panic, and terror in society, and facilitating an act of terrorism as defined in Section 6 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, which is an offense punishable under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and falls within the jurisdiction of this court.
After hearing the details of the charges from the court, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha pleaded not guilty, whereupon the court ordered a formal trial of the case and summoned prosecution witnesses for the next hearing.