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ISLAMABAD, Nov 06 (APP):The District & Sessions Court of Islamabad will deliver its decision on Saturday regarding a plea to remove the state-appointed counsel in the controversial tweets case against lawyer Imaan Mazari and activist Hadi Ali Chattha.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the case against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha until Saturday, indicating that the court would announce its ruling on the request to remove the state counsel after hearing arguments.
At the start of the proceedings, both accused appeared before the court. Advocate Samiullah Wazir submitted a power of attorney on behalf of Hadi Ali Chattha, after which the court cancelled the non-bailable arrest warrants previously issued against Mazari and Chattha.
Imaan Mazari requested additional time to appoint her legal counsel. The judge instructed her to submit the power of attorney of her lawyer by Saturday.
During the hearing, Mazari told the court that the pace of the proceedings was violating their rights, saying they were being punished for speaking the truth.
Judge Majoka remarked that the court had already read out the charge sheet three times in the presence of the defence lawyers.
Hadi Ali Chattha requested the court to withdraw the appointment of the state counsel, stating that his private counsel had now taken over the case.
In response, Judge Majoka clarified that the state counsel had not been appointed by the court but by a relevant committee, and therefore only that committee had the authority to withdraw the appointment.
The court directed both sides to present final arguments on the state counsel issue during the next hearing and announced that a decision would be given afterward.
The hearing was then adjourned until November 8.