Pakistani court seeks explanation from prison chief in contempt case — Dawn
An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad, Pakistan, issued a notice to the superintendent of Adiala prison demanding an explanation over possible contempt of court. The reason was the alleged failure to comply with an order to facilitate the signing and transfer of documents needed by lawyers Imaan Zainab Hazir-Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to file bail petitions.
As Dawn reports, Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra ordered the prison chief to explain why he should not be punished with six months in prison for the alleged non-compliance with the court order.
Documents and video link
Earlier, the court returned the bail petitions of the two human rights defenders in a case related to a protest outside the Kohsar police station. The reason was the absence of signed documents authorizing lawyers to represent them in the bail proceedings.
A representative of Adiala prison did not appear at the hearing. Imaan and Hadi were also unable to participate in the hearing via video link, although the court had previously ordered that such participation be ensured. Court staff said the prison administration had cited internet connectivity problems.
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The judge expressed dissatisfaction with this explanation, noting that the Adiala administration had already cited connectivity problems in another case. According to him, he had previously instructed PTCL and NTC specialists to visit the prison to resolve the technical malfunction.
Further proceedings
Lawyer Riasat Ali Azad said he did not know for certain whether the deputy prison superintendent had collected the documents from the sessions court. The defense lawyers handed them over there for further delivery to the prison in accordance with the court order. The court was also provided with the serial numbers of these documents during the hearing.
Sipra stressed that receiving and signing a vakalatnama — a document granting authority to a lawyer — is a fundamental right of the accused and cannot be restricted due to administrative obstacles. The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.
On January 24, an Islamabad court sentenced Imaan and Hadi to a total of 17 years in prison on several charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. On September 17, the Supreme Court suspended the execution of the sentences in the case involving social media posts, allowed release on bail against surety bonds of 200,000 rupees, and ordered their release pending a final decision by the Islamabad High Court. After that, police detained both again in the case concerning the protest outside the Kohsar police station, and the anti-terrorism court remanded them in judicial custody.
