ISLAMABAD(National Times)- An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) adjourned the indictment proceedings against lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha, until Wednesday (today) after they could not be produced due to a power outage.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra was scheduled to frame charges against the two lawyers in a case registered at Aabpara Police Station over alleged disruption of the security route of an international cricket team and incitement to public unrest.

During the hearing, prosecutor Raja Naveed appeared before the court, while junior lawyers represented the accused in the absence of their lead counsel. The junior lawyers sought an adjournment, stating that the lead counsel were busy at the High Court. They also requested copies of the challan and a fresh date for the proceedings.

The judge observed that copies of the challan had already been provided and that the court intended to frame charges that day. However, a junior lawyer complained that they were not being allowed to meet their clients.

Justice Sipra remarked that the signed powers of attorney had already been received and that proceedings could not be conducted according to the convenience of the lawyers. The court briefly adjourned the proceedings. When the hearing resumed, however, the accused could not be produced through the video link because of power outage at Adiala jail, preventing the court from proceeding with their indictment. The judge directed the jail authorities to ensure the presence of both accused through video link at the next hearing, warning that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated in case of non-compliance.