Overview
- A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad rejected Imaan Mazari’s acquittal plea and other applications by her and Hadi Ali Chattha, with proceedings now adjourned to Monday, December 8.
- The couple filed a distrust and transfer petition in the Islamabad High Court and separately urged the Supreme Court to hear their challenge to the IHC’s refusal to stay the trial.
- The defence says the Section 342 statements submitted by a state-appointed counsel were not theirs and has asked to record personal statements and present defence witnesses.
- Bar leaders joined the defence in court and, after sloganeering by some lawyers, the judge briefly left the courtroom before adjourning the case.
- The prosecution stems from an NCCIA FIR alleging linguistically divisive posts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, citing Sections 9, 10, 11 and 26.