ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday summoned Islamabad Inspector General of Police Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry and issued show-cause notices to two senior police officials over the repeated failure to produce the case record in a security breach case against lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha.
The case relates to allegations that the couple removed security barriers from the designated route of an international cricket team, disrupted security arrangements and incited public unrest. Both were indicted in the case on October 7.
During the hearing, ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain expressed serious displeasure over the investigating officer’s continued absence and the non-production of the case record, which had prevented the proceedings from moving forward.
The court was informed that the investigating officer had travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan and had not returned. The judge subsequently summoned the superintendent of police (investigation) to explain the delay.
Advocate Riasat Ali Azad, representing the accused, informed the court that the bail application had been filed on October 29 last year and notices had already been issued. However, the matter remained pending because the investigating officer had repeatedly failed to appear with the relevant record.
The defence counsel argued that another police official could have produced the record in the investigating officer’s absence, as was customary in similar cases. He urged the court to proceed with a decision in accordance with the law rather than allow further delays.
Islamabad Bar Council Vice Chairman Advocate Asif Irfan also questioned the continued failure to obtain the record, observing that the court possessed sufficient authority to ensure compliance.
Advocate Aleem Abbasi called on the judge to exercise his judicial powers and decide the matter on merit. He maintained that the legal fraternity stood firmly behind judicial independence but raised concerns over the inability of lawyers to secure justice for their own children when proceedings remained stalled.
Advocate Zafar Khokhar similarly questioned the legal justification for an investigating officer taking the case record away while judicial proceedings were pending.
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Responding to the lawyers’ arguments, Judge Zulqarnain expressed displeasure over the tone adopted by some counsel, describing it as inappropriate. He maintained that his judicial decisions were not influenced by vlogs or public commentary and that he conducted proceedings impartially.
Following a brief adjournment, Superintendent of Police Khurram Ashraf and Deputy Superintendent of Police Naeem Yousuf appeared before the court.
SP Ashraf informed the judge that the investigating officer had travelled to Khaplu and would appear upon his return. When the court sought a definite timeline, DSP Yousuf stated that the officer could take another 10 to 15 days to return.
The judge strongly criticised the police over the prolonged delays, questioning why judicial proceedings should remain suspended because of the investigating officer’s absence.
During the hearing, Judge Zulqarnain also expressed concern over the prolonged hardship faced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers due to delays in their cases and allegations of harassment. He subsequently ordered the discharge of several individuals arrested in connection with the party’s long march.
The court issued show-cause notices to SP Khurram Ashraf and DSP Naeem Yousuf, directing them to explain their failure to ensure production of the case record. The judge warned that continued non-compliance could result in proceedings leading to their imprisonment.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry was also summoned to appear before the court at the next hearing, scheduled for November 3.