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ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (APP):The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Wednesday conducted the proceedings in the controversial tweet case against Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, where the trial court set strict timelines after repeated non-appearance of the accused.
The court noted directions from the Islamabad High Court and fixed clear hours for cross-examination, warning that delays would not be allowed.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard the case. Assistant counsels appeared on behalf of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha and informed the court that bail applications were pending before the High Court. They said the accused would appear before the trial court after the High Court proceedings. On this submission, the court first adjourned the hearing till 1:30 pm and later till 2:30 pm.
During the hearing, the judge directed the prosecution to read out the Islamabad High Court’s order issued a day earlier. Judge Majoka stated that he received the High Court order at 3:28 pm the previous day. The prosecutor submitted that the order related to the earlier cancellation of bail and issuance of warrants, limited to the scope of the application before the High Court.
The judge reminded the parties that the High Court had directed the trial to be completed within four days. He said the High Court order had been received on January 20 and must be followed in letter and spirit.
Later, the court noted that the accused did not appear despite having two-day protective bail. The judge observed that the accused had failed to attend court deliberately and were wasting judicial time by arriving late or not appearing. He said the High Court had ordered that cross-examination be completed within four days and fixed January 24 at 3:30 pm as the final deadline.
Judge Majoka directed that cross-examination would start at 9:30 am and conclude at 3:30 pm. A break of half an hour would be given at 1:30 pm. He warned that no additional time would be granted if the defence caused delays during the day.
The court made it clear that if cross-examination was not completed by 3:30 pm on January 24, the right to cross-examine would be closed. The hearing on the controversial tweets was adjourned till the next day.