Islamabad:Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) has started trial of case against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in their absence.

Important progress has been made in the terrorism case related to removing barrier against the accused persons.

As per media report, following the boycott by the both accused and their lawyers the court started the trial in their absence and recorded statements of 3 witnesses of prosecution.

The court rejected the plea for removing terrorism clauses from the case.

Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra of ATC heard the case.

Counsels for Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha boycotted the court’s proceedings.

The statements of the prosecution witnesses were recorded after the lawyers went outside the court.

The court summoned the remaining witnesses on Monday after recording the statements of 3 prosecution witnesses.

The court adjourned the hearing till Monday.

At the inception of hearing Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha appeared in the court through video link.

Hadi Ali Chattha while addressing judge Tahir Abbas Sipra said he respects court and he has been appearing in the court earlier too.

He took the plea that he has learnt from judge the proceedings of the case cannot be moved forward without transparent trial.

Hadi Ali Chattha raised question as to why he was not presented before court.

He told the court he came to know about his indictment through news paper on next day .

Citing to article 10 of the constitution, Hadi Ali Chattha raised a question regarding right to transparent trial and raised objection over not presenting him in the court.

Judge Tahir Abbas replied the accused have challenged the indictment . If indictment has not been made in correct way then high court will abolish it.

The judge directed jail personal to arrange chairs for both the accused so that they could sit on them and remain included in the proceedings.

Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra during the hearing sought explanation from jail employee for not presenting Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha .

The court inquired both the accused were to be presented in the court today then why they were not presented. on this matter the counsels for the accused too raised objections regarding court’s proceedings.

Counsel Zainab Janjua took the plea in the court that trial proceedings of the accused Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha has been conducted on video link in their absence .

She requested this objection be made part of the court record.

The court got recorded the order regarding the plea of the accused for removing the clauses of terrorism and their absence during the hearing.

Later the court summoned Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha again through video link.

Both the accused appeared.

Zainab Janjua told Hadi Ali Chattha court’s proceedings have taken place in their absence. The petition for removing terror clauses was also filed on their directives.

She further said to Hadi Ali Chattha that no new directives have been received from them therefore, she is going from the proceedings of the case.

Later Zainab Janjua and other lawyers went outside the court room.

Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha too went out from jail video link after recording their objection on video link.

Zainab Janjua requested the court to adjourn hearing due to absence of lawyer Riasat Ali Azad.

she told president of bar is sick and he is present with her. Therefore, the proceedings be adjourned.

The judge Tahir Abbas rejected the plea for adjourning the hearing due to absence of the lawyer.

The court rejected and wrapped up the petition of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha for removing the clause of terrorism without hearing their lawyers and without giving them more time.

Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra maintained that the petition against terrorism clause cannot be given at this stage while he cannot review his previous order because he has no powers in this regard.