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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered the trial court to re-record the statements of witnesses in a case against lawyers Hadi Ali Chatha and Imaan Mazari regarding the disputative tweets.
The court said that a fair trial is the constitutional right of the accused and no question should be raised on the trial.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the petition of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha. Advocate Riasat Ali Azad took the stand that Iman Mazari had applied for adjournment due to illness, despite this, the statements of four witnesses were recorded in her absence, which is illegal.
Riasat Ali Azad told the court that senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqui’s power of attorney has arrived and he will present arguments in the next hearing. However, time should be given for arguments on the merits. He also said that it is necessary to record the complete record including the order of the Supreme Court. Assistant Attorney General Raja Zamiruddin took the stand that the testimonies that have been recorded are legal and this is another attempt to delay. However, Justice Azam Khan said that exemption is given in the trial so that the trial is not affected. The court inquired whether any pleader was appointed in the absence of Imaan Mazari? To which Hadi Ali Chatha said that no pleader was appointed nor was any lawyer present in the court.
Justice Azam Khan remarked that the court was not going into the merits at this stage but was only ordering the re-recording of the testimonies. With the consent of both the parties, the trial court was directed to re-record the testimonies and adjourned the hearing.