ISLAMABAD: A local court on Saturday reissued arrest warrants for Iman Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chatha in the controversial tweets case after rejecting a defence request to return the warrants and suspend orders cancelling their bail.
During the hearing, the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka also directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and DIG Operations to arrest the accused and present them before the court. The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
Prosecutor Rana Usman, Federal Police DSP Legal Naeem, Defence Counsel Riyasat Ali Azad, and others appeared before the court. The judge initially sought a report from the NCCIA regarding execution of the arrest warrants. Upon resumption of proceedings, the court was informed that the warrants could not be executed. Defence counsel Riyasat Ali Azad submitted that Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha were willing to surrender before the court and requested that the arrest orders be suspended, with permission granted for their appearance via video link. He termed it an “innocent request” aimed at facilitating their appearance.
However, Judge Majuka observed that a statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code could be recorded even in the absence of the accused. After hearing arguments, the court briefly adjourned proceedings and, upon resumption, rejected the defence request to suspend the bail cancellation order.
The judge ruled that the court could not suspend its decision and formally reissued arrest warrants for both accused. A questionnaire under Section 342 was handed over to defence counsel.
The court then adjourned further proceedings in the case until Monday.
