An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday granted bail to prominent lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, who were arrested on charges of interfering in government operations.
Earlier in the day, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had sent Imaan Mazari and her husband on judicial remand in the “security breach” case.
ATCJ Judge Tahir Abbas Supra heard the couple’s bail plea. While the prosecutor, Raja Naveed, opposed the bail request, the court approved it, instructing the couple to submit surety bonds of Rs20,000.
Earlier, the IHC reviewed a petition challenging the couple’s physical remand and sent them on judicial remand.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz heard the case. Qaiser Imam and Zainab Janjua represented Mazari and Chattha.
During the hearing, the IHC chief justice questioned the prosecutor regarding the adherence of the remand order to guidelines set by the Lahore High Court.
The defence argued that the status of the remand order remained unclear after it was previously suspended, prompting the IHC chief justice to issue a brief order, sending the couple to jail on judicial remand.
Islamabad’s Aabpara police arrested Mazari and Chattha on October 28 after the duo indulged in a heated altercation with traffic police at Zero Point Interchange.
Viral videos on social media showed the couple removing roadblocks set up for security as the England cricket team was en route to the stadium, with Mazari and her husband seen arguing with police officers at the scene.
