ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued a contempt of court show-cause notice to the superintendent of Adiala Jail for failing to produce lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, before the court through video link.
The notice was issued during a hearing before ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra concerning the failure to provide the signed powers of attorney required for filing bail applications for the two accused.
According to reports, Adiala Jail authorities were unable to provide the court with the signed vakalatnamas for Mazari and Chattha. No representative of the jail administration appeared before the court, while Shireen Mazari and other lawyers were present.
The court had previously directed that Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha be produced through video link, but the order was not complied with. Jail authorities reportedly cited internet connectivity problems as the reason for their failure to appear through video link.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra directed the jail superintendent to explain why he should not be sentenced to six months in prison for allegedly disobeying the court’s orders.
The judge also referred to previous problems with internet connectivity at the jail, saying that he had earlier directed relevant telecommunications authorities to send technical experts to resolve the issue.
The judge observed that obtaining a signed power of attorney is a basic right of an accused person.
The court subsequently issued the contempt show-cause notice and adjourned the hearing until Tuesday.