What happened?
An anti‑terrorism court in Islamabad issued a contempt notice to the superintendent of Adiala Jail concerning the ongoing Imaan‑Hadi case. The notice was served after the court observed that the prison authorities had not complied with procedural requirements related to the accused’s vakalatnama, the legal power of attorney that permits counsel to represent a detainee.
Why does it matter?
The court’s ruling underscores that a vakalatnama is a fundamental right of every accused, even in security‑related prosecutions. By enforcing this right, the judiciary signals its commitment to due‑process safeguards, which is crucial in a country where terrorism cases often draw intense public scrutiny and can affect perceptions of the rule of law among victims’ families and the broader community.
What happens next?
Judge Tahir Abbas adjourned the hearing until Tuesday, granting the defence team—including former law minister Shireen Mazari and other counsel—time to examine the contempt notice and prepare a response. The next hearing will determine whether the superintendent will face penalties for non‑compliance and could set a precedent for how jail officials handle legal representation in future terrorism trials.