An Islamabad district and sessions court rejected the acquittal plea of Imaan Mazari on Thursday in the case relating to a controversial social media post.The court also dismissed the applications of co-accused Hadi Ali Chattha. Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka announced the reserved order. The court dismissed three separate applications filed by Mazari and Chattha. These included the plea for acquittal, a request for fresh cross-examination, and an application concerning the role of the state counsel.

The court had reserved its decision after the completion of arguments. The proceedings resumed with the defence request for a day to prepare the reply under section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Counsel Sher Afzal Marwat sought one day, but Judge Majoka said that he would fix the date for the following day once the replies were given. Marwat told the court that he wished to consult Aleem Abbasi before confirming the reply.

He also expressed discomfort with the heavy police presence in the courtroom, saying that it resembled a police station rather than a court. During the exchange, the judge asked Marwat for his date of birth, to which the counsel objected, saying that such a question would prompt media reports and cause a market reaction. Marwat asked the judge to estimate his age from the fact that the judge joined the judiciary in 1994.

Judge Majoka asked whether Mazari and Chattha would record their replies under section 342 themselves or rely on the statement earlier provided by the state counsel. The court then adjourned the hearing until the following day for final arguments and directed both accused to record their statements under section 342 at 2 pm. The court granted a break in the proceedings until 2 pm. The judge stated that the verdict would follow after the conclusion of final arguments.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)