Imaan Mazari, Ali Wazir handed over to police on three-day physical remand

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has handed over human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, and former MNA and Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir to police on three-day physical remand, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The ATC judge pronounced the verdict hours after it was reserved on Monday as the police demanded 10-day physical remand of both Imaan Zainab and Ali Wazir.

Earlier, the court reserved its verdict on the demand of extending the physical remand of Imaan Zainab and Ali Wazir in a case related to spreading anarchy, hurling threats and committing treason.

ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the case and reserved the judgment over the physical remand plea.

The prosecution requested the court to grant a 10-day physical remand of both Imaan Zainab and Ali Wazir, who were present in the court.

Imaan Mazari-Hazir’s lawyer told the court that police got one-day physical remand of her yesterday but they did not recover anything from her, nor did they conduct any investigation from her. Police have already taken her mobile and laptop.

The lawyer said that Imaan Mazari-Hazir was not running away, she is here. She has been booked in two cases of similar nature. She is accused of giving statements that would benefit the enemy country.

The lawyer further said that it is not necessary to keep Imaan Mazari-Hazir in police custody. Over 900 other people have also been booked along with the human rights lawyer.

The lawyer opposed the prosecution’s request for a 10-day physical remand of Imaan Mazari-Hazir while suggesting the court to grant judicial remand instead.

At this juncture, the judge inquired about the crime committed by the human rights’ advocate.

Prosecutor Raja Naveed said that Imaan Mazari-Hazir attended a rally in Islamabad in which anti-state slogans and speeches were delivered.

He said Imaan Mazari-Hazir was also booked in a similar case in 2022.

Lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir on Sunday was earlier arrested from her house in Islamabad.

Imaan Mazari-Hazir was arrested in a case registered against her at Tarnol police station under provisions 506-B, 186, 440, 148, and 149, police sources said.

It is to be noted here that Imaan Mazari-Hazir delivered a speech at a rally of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) in Islamabad the other day.

PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen was also nominated in the case registered at Tarnol police station.

After arresting Mazari-Hazir, the Federal Police also arrested former MNA and PTM leader Ali Wazir.

He was arrested on the charges of resisting police, staging a sit-in, and interfering in the affairs of the government.

Lawyer Mazari-Hazir and politician Ali Wazir on Friday appeared at the first protest in months to be staged by the PTM, which fights for the rights of Pashtuns.

A PTM spokesman told AFP that dozens more members have also been detained since the protest.

Up to 3,000 people attended the protest in Islamabad, where both Mazari-Hazir and Wazir gave speeches condemning harassment against Pashtuns and called for missing people to be returned.

"You are being stopped as if you are the terrorists, while the (Pakistan) Taliban have taken over your homes again," Mazari-Hazir told the crowds in a video posted on social media.

Wazir is a PTM founding member who has long been an outspoken critic of the establishment and the military operations in the former tribal areas that border Afghanistan.

He was part of the outgoing government, representing the PTM, which dissolved earlier this month, and has been arrested many times.

 

Reporter Farzana Siddique